UN Draft Resolution on Human Rights Violations in Chechnya Rejected

The UN Human Rights Commission rejected a draft resolution yesterday condemning human rights violations in Chechnya. According to the UN press office, the draft resolution was proposed by EU countries but was only supported by 15 members of the commission. 21 countries voted against the draft resolution while 17 abstained. Those voting against the resolution include China, Cuba, Syria and Libya.

On the eve of the vote Russian representative Leonid Skotnikov called on commission members to reject the draft resolution. 'It would be very regrettable if this unacceptable resolution were passed. It would hinder the peace process by sending the wrong message to those opposed to peace,' he said.

Last year a single vote prevented this same draft resolution from being passed.