DATE=4/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHECHEN REFUGEES / RIGHTS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261177
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: International pressure is mounting on Moscow
to investigate allegations that Russian soldiers in
Chechnya have committed widespread human rights
abuses. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the United
Nations Human Rights Commission debated the issue at a
special meeting on the human rights situation in
Chechnya.
TEXT: Several speakers at the U-N Human Rights
Commission meeting called on Russia to deal openly
with the human rights issues in Chechnya.
But Russian envoy Vladimir Kalamanov told the
commission the allegations of widespread Russian
abuses in Chechnya are nothing more than "rumors and
disinformation." He criticized the U-N's top human
rights official, Mary Robinson, calling into question
testimony by Chechen refugees of human rights
violations.
But the head of the U-N refugee agency, Sadako Ogata,
supported Ms. Robinson's accounts. She said the
refugee agency's aid workers in Ingushetia have heard
similar stories.
/// OGATA ACT ///
Many of the displaced people have reported to us
incidents of violence, rape, abuse, and
detention to which they were subjected by the
warring parties in Chechnya. The excessive use
of force against civilians has constantly been
the preoccupation of the United Nations.
/// END ACT ///
The refugee agency is providing emergency relief to
about 200-thousand Chechens who have fled to
neighboring Ingushetia. It is one of the few
international agencies operating in the North
Caucuses. No agency is working in Chechnya itself
because of the security risks. Therefore, no
independent observers are present to monitor the human
rights situation.
Ms. Ogata said a growing number of refugees are
beginning to return to Chechnya. But she said it is
up to Russia to create conditions that will make their
return a safe one.
/// OGATA ACT ///
The transparent handling of reports or
allegations of violations of human rights and
international humanitarian law by the Russian
Federation will go some way to create the
confidence and the conditions necessary for
safe, voluntary, and durable return of the
displaced population to Chechnya.
/// END ACT ///
So far, no country has said it will sponsor a
resolution condemning Russia at the U-N Human Rights
Commission. The European Union said it would take
action. But it stopped short of saying it would
propose a resolution. The United States noted that
the war in Chechnya had greatly damaged Russia's
international standing and it urged Russia to begin an
investigation immediately. But, the United States
also did not say if it would back a resolution
against Russia. (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/JP
11-Apr-2000 14:09 PM EDT (11-Apr-2000 1809 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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