U.N. panel cites torture, secret detentions in Chechnya

[struggle4progress]

GENEVA A U-N panel says it has credible reports of unofficial detention centers, abuse and disappearances in Russia's southern province of Chechnya (CHECH'-nyah).

The U-N Committee Against Torture also says it has heard allegations of torture in the facilities. It's all contained in a 12-page report on Russian compliance with a global ban on prisoner abuse.

The report also highlighted allegations that kidnappings and disappearances in Chechnya were either being carried out by government officials or with their consent.

Last week, Human Rights Watch said it documented 115 torture cases in Chechnya over the last two years ...

http://www.fox12news.com/Global/story.asp?S=5726507

[Kagemusha]

1. I don't suppose the rebels are doing anything bad themselves.

Nah, couldn't be.

[struggle4progress]

2. The issue is Russia's compliance with an international treaty it signed:

Friday, November 24, 2006 · Last updated 3:59 p.m. PT
U.N. panel cites abuses in Chechnya
By FRANK JORDANS
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

GENEVA -- A U.N. anti-torture panel said Friday it had credible reports of unofficial detention centers, abuse and disappearances in Russia's restive southern province of Chechnya ...

The U.N. committee's report also highlighted "numerous, ongoing and consistent allegations that abductions and enforced disappearances" in Chechnya were carried out by government officials or with their consent and that perpetrators went unpunished.

The incidents were linked with anti-terrorism operations, the panel said, adding that it was aware of allegations that relatives of terror suspects were also regularly detained ...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1103AP_UN_Russia_Torture.html

[Kagemusha]

3. Ain't that grand. If you don't have an official country, can do anything

and the U.N. anti-torture panel isn't going to criticize you. (No, I don't know that for a fact but it certainly is the proper response to your reply)

[struggle4progress]

4. Uh, "The (UN) Committee against Torture was established pursuant to article 17 of the Convention

<against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment> to monitor its implementation.

The 10-member Committee began to function on 1 January 1988, six months after the entry into force of the Convention, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1984.

States parties to the Convention must report to the Committee one year after the entry into force of the Convention for the State party concerned. Thereafter, report should be submitted every four years. The Committee examines the reports and issues concluding observations in which it includes its main findings and makes recommendations to the State party ...

http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/6/cat/index.html

Do you find something offensive in the fact that state parties to an international convention against torture have agreed to report periodically to a committee on the status of their compliance, with the committee responding with comments and recommendations? Or do you think that human rights abuses by one party to a conflict would justify such abuses by all parties to the conflict?

The UN Commission on Human Rights has a mechanism for investigating and making recommendations on various situations:

Commission on Human Rights
56th Session
Geneva, 5th April 2000
... Criticisms were made of the Chechen fighters for their callous disregard for the welfare of the civilian population ... Weather conditions had not permitted me to land at the border areas where incursions by Chechen fighters had taken place, but I was able to meet two representatives of women's groups who denounced the actions of Chechen fighters in strong terms, as did the President himself ...
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/A029D87F9FD4FAFD802568B9002CB49F?opendocument

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONCLUDES REVIEW OF REPORT PRESENTED BY THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
24 October 2003
... In the light of numerous and continued allegations of serious human rights violations against the Chechen civilian population by soldiers and Chechen fighters, the delegation was asked to provide information on the investigations that had been undertaken into such violations ...
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/4F31C66EBA507EC8C1256DCE003480B8?opendocument

UN WOMEN'S RIGHTS EXPERT CONCLUDES VISIT TO RUSSIAN FEDERATION
24 December 2004
... In the absence of the rule of law, the civilian population suffers abuse by security forces and Chechen armed groups, leaving a climate of fear and insecurity ...
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/F4314BAD6D4F1D3FC1256F75004E65FF?opendocument

[Kagemusha]

5. Then maybe Russia's compliance isn't the only issue after all.

Unless I'm missing something and by some magic spell Russia is supposed to be responsible for Chechen fighter human rights violation too.

That was my only point. Sad, ugly conflict on both sides and for those poor people stuck in the middle.