The Government failed to use its position during its presidency of the Council of Europe to take effective action against the Russian Federation during the Chechen war, an Amnesty report claimed yesterday.
An audit of compliance with international human rights standards by the Amnesty International Irish section said Ire land's presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe gave the State an opportunity to advance its human rights policy.
"Amnesty International is concerned that under the Irish presidency, the Committee of Ministers failed to take any effective action against the Russian Federation, a member-state of the Council of Europe, as the crisis in Chechnya unfolded," it stated.
Yesterday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, rejected claims that Ireland failed in relation to Chechnya.
"I am disappointed that Amnesty has misrepresented Ireland's skilful handling of Chech nya while holding the presidency of the Council of Europe." Chechnya was the dominant political issue during Ireland's presidency and it received the constant attention of his predecessor, Mr David Andrews, and himself, he said.
The council's Secretary General defended the Government's record on Chechnya. Mr Walter Schwimmer said Ireland had made "a significant impact on these issues during its term in office" and the criticisms were "mistaken and misdirected".