§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions his Department has taken to advance the cause of human rights in Chechnya. [145799]
§ Mr. RammellWe continue to be concerned over the human rights situation in Chechnya and consistent reports of human rights abuses, including reports of rising numbers of abductions and disappearances. We regularly raise UK concerns on the situation in Chechnya with the Russian Government. We most recently did so following the Chechen Presidential elections, when I called for human rights to be upheld in Chechnya. The UK also supported EU statements before and after the elections which raised similar concerns.