barfly
15-11-02, 16:30
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) _ Several European human
rights groups on Friday condemned Moscow's campaign in
Chechnya, claiming Russian forces have killed up to 20,000
civilians over the past three years.
At a conference on Chechnya, International Helsinki
Federation for Human Rights director Aaron Rhodes said the
non-governmental organizations believe Russia deliberately
targets civilians in its campaign against separatist
rebels.
Though Russia agreed to a cease-fire with the rebels in
the mid 1990s, Russian forces resumed fighting in Chechnya
in 1999, after rebels were blamed for several bombings and
attacks in the region. Russian president Vladimir Putin
says the rebels are terrorists and likens Russia's campaign
against them to U.S. President George W. Bush's «war on
terror.»
But Rhodes rejected that comparison Friday, saying it was
«an insult to the victims of terrorism, an insult to their
ghosts.»
Also present at the Hague meeting were representatives of
Human Rights Watch, Russian rights group Memorial, the
German-Caucasian Society, and Lord Frank Judd, who reports
on Chechnya to the Council of Europe.
The Council of Europe is Europe's oldest human rights
body, with 44 member states. It has long been critical of
Russia, and temporarily suspended Russia's vote over its
record in Chechnya. But Judd said that Russian abuses
continue.
«Our job now is to build concern over Chechnya in the
political community,» he said.
He said he would work both with members of the Russian
parliament and with other European countries to pressure
the Russian government to reform, but added that he was
disappointed at the lack of protest from European
governments.
Judd said his dialogue with the Russians had largely been
halted since a group of Chechen rebels held over 800 people
hostage in a Moscow theater last month. The rebels were
killed, along with at least 128 hostages, when Russian
troops stormed the theater.
Putin said Sunday that he would support political steps to
restore peace in Chechnya, but defended the military
campaign during meetings with European Union leaders in
Belgium Monday.
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rights groups on Friday condemned Moscow's campaign in
Chechnya, claiming Russian forces have killed up to 20,000
civilians over the past three years.
At a conference on Chechnya, International Helsinki
Federation for Human Rights director Aaron Rhodes said the
non-governmental organizations believe Russia deliberately
targets civilians in its campaign against separatist
rebels.
Though Russia agreed to a cease-fire with the rebels in
the mid 1990s, Russian forces resumed fighting in Chechnya
in 1999, after rebels were blamed for several bombings and
attacks in the region. Russian president Vladimir Putin
says the rebels are terrorists and likens Russia's campaign
against them to U.S. President George W. Bush's «war on
terror.»
But Rhodes rejected that comparison Friday, saying it was
«an insult to the victims of terrorism, an insult to their
ghosts.»
Also present at the Hague meeting were representatives of
Human Rights Watch, Russian rights group Memorial, the
German-Caucasian Society, and Lord Frank Judd, who reports
on Chechnya to the Council of Europe.
The Council of Europe is Europe's oldest human rights
body, with 44 member states. It has long been critical of
Russia, and temporarily suspended Russia's vote over its
record in Chechnya. But Judd said that Russian abuses
continue.
«Our job now is to build concern over Chechnya in the
political community,» he said.
He said he would work both with members of the Russian
parliament and with other European countries to pressure
the Russian government to reform, but added that he was
disappointed at the lack of protest from European
governments.
Judd said his dialogue with the Russians had largely been
halted since a group of Chechen rebels held over 800 people
hostage in a Moscow theater last month. The rebels were
killed, along with at least 128 hostages, when Russian
troops stormed the theater.
Putin said Sunday that he would support political steps to
restore peace in Chechnya, but defended the military
campaign during meetings with European Union leaders in
Belgium Monday.
:(