PACE criticises situation in North Caucasus

PACE describes the situation in the North Caucasus, specifically Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan, as very serious and complicated. It says that the Chechen authorities maintain a climate of fear in the republic, opposition members and human rights activists are disappearing and the courts ignore crimes committed by law enforcement bodies.

Violence, terrorist attacks, law enforcement bodies exceeding their power and such crimes are increasing in the region, PACE says. It is working on a resolution on this issue which should be passed in June.