Doc. 8698

4 April 2000

Credentials of the delegation of the Russian Federation

Report

Political Affairs Committee

Rapporteur: Mrs Kristiina Ojuland, Estonia, Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

I.       Introduction

1.       At the opening of the present part session on Monday 3 April 2000, the Chairman of the EPP/CD Group challenged credentials of the delegation of Russia on substantial grounds. The President considered that this request was in compliance with the rules of procedure. On the proposal of the Bureau, the Assembly decided, under Rule 8 (3) of Procedure, to refer the issue to the Political Affairs Committee for report and to the Committees on Rules of Procedure and Immunities and on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinions.

II.       Main considerations

2.       According to Article 8 of the Rules of Procedure, substantial reasons on which credentials may be challenged are:

3.       In this case, the credentials have been challenged on the grounds that Russia has breached the Council of Europe’s basic principles on human rights in connection with the conflict in Chechnya.

4.       The Political Affairs Committee has already adopted a report on the conflict in Chechnya, presented by Lord Judd, rapporteur, to be discussed in the Assembly in the framework of a debate on Thursday 6 April 2000.

5.       A similar situation occurred at the previous session of the Assembly and the same procedure was set into motion. Finally, the proposal to suspend the Russian delegation or to deprive it of some of the rights which members enjoy in the Assembly under paragraph 9.4 or 8.5 was defeated in the plenary.

6.       However, despite the similarities both in substance and in procedures the situation is different in comparison to the January session: in fact, the main reason why the suspension of the Russian delegation was not carried in January was to allow the Russian government to make progress on various points raised by the Recommendation 1444, some of which were of crucial importance.

7.       Today, we sadly observe that, during this period, most of the substantial issues have not been tackled and the violations of human rights have persisted. The rapporteur is of the opinion that the timid measures taken by the Russian authorities seem more directed at appeasing the international public opinion and the media, rather than constituting a real remedy to the distress of the Chechen population. Ill-treatment of civilian population, harassment and torture continue, and not all those responsible for war crimes have been brought to justice. A major progress has still to be made.

8.       However, as it emerges from different reports on the substance under discussion, new steps are being taken in the light of Recommendation 1444 (2000) adopted in January and particularly in agreement with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to ensure Council of Europe representation in the region with regards to human rights situation.

9.       In view also of the fact that the State Duma created recently a Commission on the Normalisation of Political, Social and Economic Situation and Protection of Human Rights in the Chechen Republic, your Rapporteur is of the opinion that the parliamentary delegation of the Russian Federation should remain in close dialogue with the Assembly. This newly elected delegation has shown first signs of good will and co-operation and their full involvement is necessary in the implementation of Assembly recommendations.

III.       Conclusion

10. Therefore, the Assembly should:

Reporting Committee : Political Affairs Committee

Reference to Committee : Reference No. 2492 (03/04/2000)

Budgetary implications for the Assembly : none

Report adopted by the Committee on 4 Avril 2000

Members of the Committee : Mr Davis (Chairman), Mrs Ojuland (Vice-Chairperson), Mr Toshev (Vice-Chairman), MM Arzilli, Atkinson, Bársony, Behrendt, Bergqvist, Björck, Blaauw (alternate: Mr van der Linden), Bühler (alternate: Mr Hornues), Clerfayt, Daly, Demetriou, Derycke, Dokle, Dreyfus-Schmidt (alternate: Mr Baumel, Vice-Chairmant), Mrs Durrieu, Mr Frey (alternate: Mrs Fehr), Mrs Fyfe (alternate: Mr Rapson), MM. Gjellerod, Glesener, Gligoroski, Gross, Gül, Iwinski, Mrs Kautto, MM Kirilov, Krzaklewski (alternate: Mr Adamczyk), Kuzmickas, Lopez Henares, Lupu (alternate: Mr Kelemen), Maginas, Medeiros Ferreira, Meier, Micheloyiannis, Mota Amaral, Mutman, Nedelciuc, Mrs Nemkova, MM. Neuwirth, Oliynyk, Pahor (alternate: Mr Jakic), Palmitjavila Ribo, Prusak, de Puig, Mrs Pusic, Mrs Ragnarsdottir, MM Rogozin, Saakashvili, Schieder, Schlotten, Selva, Sinka, Spindelegger, Mrs Squarcialupi, Mrs Stanoiu, Mrs Stepová, MM Surjan, Thoresen, Timmermans, Vella, Volcic, Weiss, Zuiganov (alternate: Mr Zhirinovsky), N…….. (alternate: Mr Manchulenko).

N.B. The names of the members who took part in the meeting are printed in italics

Secretaries of the Committee : Mr Perin, Mrs Ruotanen, Mr Sich, Mrs Hügel