U-N / CHECHNYA / RIGHTS


DATE=4/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / CHECHNYA / RIGHTS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261708
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The United Nations Human Rights Commission has 
sharply criticized Russia for what it calls the 
indiscriminate use of force in Chechnya and it urged 
Russian authorities to agree to an independent 
commission of inquiry to investigate alleged 
violations of human rights.  Lisa Schlein in Geneva 
reports the resolution received 25 votes, there were 
seven votes against, and 19 nations abstained.
TEXT: In introducing the resolution for the European 
Union, Portuguese Ambassador Alvaro de Mendonca 
expressed the E-U's concern about what he called the 
serious humanitarian situation in Chechnya.  
Mr. de Mendonca said the U-N Human Rights Commission 
could not remain silent in the face of the 
indiscriminate use of Russian military force, 
including attacks against civilians.  He said the 
European Union failed to gain Russian backing for a 
compromise statement.  So he said E-U officials had  
no  other option but to call for a vote on the 
resolution.
            /// DE MENDONCA ACT ///
      It calls upon all parties to the conflict to 
      take immediate steps to halt hostilities and to 
      end the indiscriminate use of force and to begin 
      without delay a dialogue to achieving a peaceful 
      solution to the crisis.  It calls upon the 
      government of the Russian Federation to 
      establish, according to recognized conduct, a 
      national broad-based independent commission of 
      inquiry with a view to investigating alleged 
      violations.  And it supports requests for 
      international involvement. 
            ///  END ACT  ///
The resolution was originally co-sponsored by the 
European Union and Canada, and was supported by 
several other countries, including the United States.  
Russian Ambassador Vasily Sidorov -- speaking through 
an interpreter -- accused Western nations of 
misrepresenting the true human rights situation in 
Chechnya.   
            /// SIDOROV INTERPRETER ACT ///
      It gives a false picture of the human rights 
      situation in Chechnya and takes  no  account of 
      the threat from terrorism to Russia and to other 
      countries.  There is nothing said in the draft 
      about the source of the Chechen tragedy.  The 
      co-authors in essence are trying to blame the 
      Russian authorities for the situation in 
      Chechnya. 
            /// END ACT ///
The Russian ambassador noted the resolution comes at a 
time when the Chechen conflict is coming to an end, 
and said its passage would have negative consequences.  
China supported Russia's position, calling Russian 
actions in Chechnya an internal affair.  (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/LTD/KL
25-Apr-2000 15:39 PM EDT (25-Apr-2000 1939 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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