28 May 2004, 17:14
Council of Europe wants commissioner for human rights in Chechnya
"The Council of Europe is going to promote the introduction of the institution of commissioners for human rights in Russian regions and first of all in Chechnya," the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Alvaro Gil-Robles, said at a press conference on May 27.
According to him, talks on the development of the institution of regional commissioners in Russia are already being conducted with Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Vladimir Lukin. "Russian President Vladimir Putin fully supported my undertaking during our Thursday meeting," Mr Gil-Robles noted. The commissioner said that according to his information, a positive trend in the field of human rights had begun to show in the Chechen republic in the last months. "However it doesn't mean that the human rights commission doesn't devote its attention to Chechnya any longer. People still disappear in the republic, and unacceptable deaths are registered their. I think it is normal for the Council of Europe to monitor the situation in Chechnya, this question is fully in its line," he said.
Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Vladimir Lukin has reported that consultations to appoint interim commissioner for human rights in Chechnya are underway now. "If the Chechens express a wish, we can find a figure to play this part," he said.
Source: Rosbalt News Agency
