By empty (4/2/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe at its spring session in Strasbourg adopted on 2 April a resolution and a recommendation on human rights in Chechnya, both of which are posted on its website (http://www.assembly.coe.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe at its spring session in Strasbourg adopted on 2 April a resolution and a recommendation on human rights in Chechnya, both of which are posted on its website (http://www.assembly.coe.int). The resolution notes that the main reason why human rights abuses both by Russian servicemen and Chechen fighters continue is that they are seldom, if ever, punished. It calls on Chechen fighters to stop terrorist activities immediately and renounce all forms of crime; for better control of Russian armed forces and compliance with human rights conventions, including during search operations; and for greater cooperation from the Russian authorities in apprehending and bringing to justice persons suspected of committing human rights abuses in Chechnya. The recommendation acknowledges the Council of Europe\'s \"dismal\" failure to effect an improvement in the human rights situation in Chechnya, and proposes that if the Russian government fails to intensify its efforts to preclude further human rights abuses in Chechnya, the Council of Europe\'s Council of Ministers should propose that the international community consider setting up an international tribunal to investigate alleged war crimes in Chechnya and bring to trial those suspected of committing them. (RFE/RL)