10:11, 16 April 2004

UN Commission rejects resolution on human rights violations in Chechnya

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has rejected a resolution condemning the Russian authorities for human rights violations in Chechnya.

12 out of 53 Commission Members voted for the adoption of the resolution, 23 voted against it, 18 abstained. The Commission's decision was greeted with cheers, news agencies report.

The draft resolution was submitted by representatives of the European Union, who believe Moscow must be more active in stopping what they consider to be violence against civilian Chechens on the part of the federal forces.

EU Member States, the US, and Australia voted for the adoption of the resolution. Among those abstained were in particular Muslim countries, despite the fact that before they had laid strictures on Russian forces for the treatment of the Chechens, most of whom practice Islam.

Editors note: See also the article "Russia opposes UN Commission's passing resolution on Chechnya".

Source: BBC Radio (Great Britain)