HC Deb 19 April 2000 vol 348 c500W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of(a) the appointment of the Presidential Special Representative for Human Rights in Chechnya and (b) whether Council of Europe representatives working with him will have operational freedom to investigate human rights abuses without hindrance from the Russian authorities. [119453]

Mr. Vaz

We accept that the appointment of Mr. Kalamanov is intended to demonstrate Russia's commitment to its human rights undertakings in Chechnya. We have supported the efforts of the Council of Europe's Secretary General to establish conditions for the attachment of CoE Representatives to Mr. Kalamanov's office which ensure that they will be able to examine and report cases of human rights violations which are brought to their attention.