Chechnya (Hansard, 11 April 2000)

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal

We continue to recognise Chechnya as an integral part of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has long recognised that human rights are a legitimate subject of interest to the international community. There has been international involvement in efforts to resolve the conflict in Chechnya from the outset. At the Istanbul OSCE Summit in November 1999, all OSCE states, including Russia, recognised that the OSCE had a role in assisting with a political settlement. The UK has been active in urging international involvement. Mr Putin has assured the Prime Minister that Russia will permit access to Chechnya by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR) and by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe. The visit by the UNCHR, Mary Robinson, is expected to take place on 1–4 April. Russia has also agreed to the attachment of two Council of Europe officials to the office of the ombudsman for Chechnya. They should take up their positions shortly.