I was shocked and deeply concerned by the
news footage on European television stations yesterday appearing to show
a mass grave in Chechnya with mutilated bodies. This follows other deeply
disturbing reports about massive human rights abuses by Russian security
forces from most reputable Non-Governmental Organisations.
These reports underline once again the
urgent need to establish a permanent presence of international human rights
monitors in the region, notably through the OSCE and the Council of Europe,
as well as to provide their full access to Chechnya. I call upon the Russian
authorities to allow a full and independent investigation of the alleged
crimes and human rights abuses.
Again and again we have made abundantly clear to the Russian Government our dismay at these allegations. We will certainly raise our concerns, notably on the mass grave and filtration camps allegations as well as on the fate of Russian journalist Andrei Babitsky, at the upcoming EU-Russia Ministerial on 2 March and the trilateral ministerial meeting with Russia and on the US on 3 March in Lisbon.