Human rights body slams Russia on Chechnya abuses

By Tara FitzGerald

MOSCOW, Oct 26 (Reuters) - U.S.-based Human Rights Watch made fresh

accusations on Thursday of human rights abuses by Russian troops in the

war-torn Chechnya region.

It blasted the Russian government for failing to investigate the situation

and called on the European Union to file a case against Russia in the

European Court for Human Rights.

Russia has consistently denied widespread abuses in Chechnya during its

year-long campaign to subdue separatists. It has said any isolated crimes

will be investigated, although few trials have taken place.

Human Rights Watch, which says its report is based on witness interviews,

said Moscow had failed to protect civilians in the troubled Russian province.

"Russia's military campaign in Chechnya has been characterised by widespread

human rights abuses and violations of the laws of war, including mass killing

of civilians, indiscriminate bombing and shelling, and widespread pillage,"

the report said.

"Russian authorities have launched no credible and transparent effort to

investigate these abuses and bring the perpetrators to justice," the group

added in a statement.

The 99-page report focused on thousands of Chechens detained on suspicion of

collaboration with rebels.

It said many of these people were detained arbitrarily, with no evidence of

wrongdoing, and were beaten and tortured while in detention.

The report said most prisoners were only released after their families paid

bribes to Russian officials ranging from $75 to $5,000, while others never

returned.

REPORT SAYS REFUGEES AFRAID TO GO HOME

"Tens of thousands of displaced Chechens fear returning home lest they or

their husbands, sons, fathers or brothers be arrested or killed by Russian

forces," the report said.

The United Nations says 90,000 refugees have returned to Chechnya, following

Russia's seizure of most of the territory. A further 160,000 refugees remain

in neighbouring Ingushetia.

Outgoing U.N. refugee agency chief Sadako Ogata told a news conference in

Moscow on Wednesday that the situation in Chechnya was improving, but

harassment, attacks on civilians and the destruction of property prevented

refugees from going home.

Russia has ceased large-scale fighting in Chechnya, but dozens of its troops

are killed in ambushes every month.

Human Rights' Watch report contained harrowing accounts of torture.

"During interrogation, detainees were forced to crawl on the ground and were

beaten so severely that some sustained broken ribs and injuries to their

kidneys, liver, testicles and feet...Some were also tortured with electric

shocks," it said.

The group said it also had "convincing evidence" of sexual assault and

expressed concern that there was no sign that the arbitrary arrest of

civilians had ceased.

Last month, United Nations human rights chief Mary Robinson said she was

"deeply concerned" about reports of serious human rights violations in

Chechnya and called on Russia to provide a credible response to these

allegations.

Earlier this year she visited the North Caucasus region.

Human Rights Watch said the report was written to deal exclusively with

abuses committed by Russian forces in Chechnya, but added that it had also

documented abuses by Chechen forces in separate reports.