§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will discuss with the Government of Russia an extension for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's mandate to monitor human rights abuses by all parties in and arising from Chechnya. [HL1136]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary raised this issue with the Russian Foreign Minister in late December, seeking an extension to the OSCE Assistance Group's mandate, including its responsibilities to monitor the human rights and humanitarian situation in Chechnya. The UK have also supported sustained EU pressure to agree a mandate for the assistance group that would be acceptable both to Russia and other members of the OSCE. We are disappointed that, thus far, it has not been possible to achieve this.