§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the Russian government about the continued resort to torture and other forms of ill treatment by members of law enforcement agencies and federal forces operating in the Chechen Republic, and the insufficiency of action taken to bring to justice those responsible, as stated by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Punishment on 10 July. [HL4054]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe have repeatedly stressed the urgent need for the thorough, transparent and effective investigation of human rights violations in Chechnya, and for the prosecution and punishment of those responsible. The issues of ill treatment and torture were raised at our bilateral human rights talks in March 2003. We have emphasised that the failure to deal with this problem risks undermining Russian efforts to initiate a political process in the republic, and the prospects for securing a lasting solution to the conflict in Chechnya.