§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether daily sorties by Russian forces over Chechnya have exceeded an average of 50 a day during January. [HL698]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)There have been a number of public statements by the Russian authorities that indicate there has been an increase in the number of sorties over Chechnya in January, The commander-in-chief of the Russian air force has spoken of an average of 25 sorties per day in bad weather and up to 60 a day when the weather is favourable. Other reports have mentioned higher numbers, and it is quite possible that the number of sorties has reached or exceeded an average of 50 a day during the month.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any evidence that Scud missiles are being used by Russian forces in Chechnya; and whether they have made representations to the Russian Government. [HL699]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThere have been a number of Russian and international press reports indicating that Scud missiles have been deployed by Russian forces in Chechnya.
We have repeatedly made representations to the Russian authorities about the indiscriminate use of force in Chechnya and its impact on the civilian population; most recently my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary raised it with Foreign Minister Ivanov on 11 January.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, on humanitarian grounds, they have evaluated the effectiveness of "safe corridors" out of Grozny designed to provide protection to refugee columns; and whether they are aware of any evidence that the refugee columns have been subjected to Russian air or sniper attack. [HL700]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalNo international organisation currently working in or around Chechnya has been able to evaluate the effectiveness of the safe corridors out of Grozny. This is due in large part to the shortage of international staff on the ground there.
There have been one or two unsubstantiated reports of shelling close to the corridors. But no evidence has been put forward to suggest that refugee columns have been deliberately attacked by Russian forces.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What evidence they have received of human rights abuses or war crimes committed in Chechnya over the past 12 months; and whether they will provide details of such activity. [HL701]
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§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe receive reports of human rights abuses in Chechnya from a wide number of sources. We have repeatedly made representations to the Russian authorities about the indiscriminate use of force in Chechnya and its impact on the civilian population.
The CoE Parliamentary Assembly debated Russia's human rights performance on 27 January. It passed a recommendation calling on Russia to halt disproportionate military action, including attacks on the civilian population; for a dialogue leading to a ceasefire and a political solution; unhindered delivery of international assistance and access by Russian and international media; and a role for international organisations, including the CoE, in the search for a long-term solution. The relevant documents are available on the CoE website www.coe.fr/index/asp.