§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed human rights in Russia with the Russian Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David DavisWe and our partners in the European Union have made clear to the Russian Government our concerns about violations of human rights following their military intervention in Chechnya. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed this with Foreign Minister Kozyrev most recently by telephone on 19 January, and will have another opportunity when he meets him in Stockholm on 14 February. We have encouraged the Russians to accept assistance of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in finding a solution in Chechnya, and one of the focuses of its attention will be human rights issues.