DATE=4/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA - UN - CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-260852
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: What Russian authorities are calling a
"transport delay" is disrupting a trip by United
Nations Human Rights Chief Mary Robinson to detention
camps in the breakaway republic of Chechnya. Moscow
correspondent Eve Conant reports Ms. Robinson's trip
comes just before the Council of Europe is set to
debate whether to suspend Russia's membership over
human rights abuses committed by Russian soldiers in
Chechnya.
TEXT: Her spokesman says U-N Human Rights Chief
Robinson and Russian authorities disagreed over
details surrounding her request to see detention
camps. Her hosts reportedly wanted her to visit the
Chernokozovo facility, which has already been viewed
by international observers. The French news agency
quotes spokesman Jose Luis Diaz as saying "there are
other places she feels it is more useful to see."
The Chernokozovo detention camp, where witnesses said
Russian troops tortured inmates on a regular basis, is
a now a regular stop on any visit by a journalist or
international observer. Ms. Robinson had requested to
visit other detention camps, including two centers
believed located inside a car factory in the Chechen
capital. The camps were highlighted in a recent report
by Amnesty International and have yet to be visited by
human rights workers.
Russia's human rights chief, Oleg Mironov, who is
traveling with Ms. Robinson, has urged Russian
authorities to allow observers into Chechnya, saying
it would force Russia's army to improve its treatment
of Chechens.
///OPT/// It was not yet clear if the delay would
force the cancellation of part of Ms. Robinson's
trip.///END OPT///
Ms. Robinson is due to report her findings to the U-N
Commission of Human Rights which is holding its annual
meeting in Geneva. Her visit also comes just before
next week's debates by the Council of Europe as to
whether it should suspend Russia's membership due to
human rights abuses committed by Russia's military in
Chechnya.
Late Saturday, Ms. Robinson called for an
investigation into alleged atrocities by Russian
troops after she heard testimonies from Chechen
refugees at camps in the neighboring republic of
Ingushetia. The U-N Human Rights Chief said, in her
words, " a pattern of violence" had emerged in
Chechnya which could implicate top Russian commanders.
(Signed)
Neb/ec/dw/plm
02-Apr-2000 07:24 AM EDT (02-Apr-2000 1124 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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