The United Nations today strongly condemned Russia for its continuing use of disproportionate force in separatist Chechnya and called for credible criminal investigations into violations by its army.
The UN Commission on Human Rights approved a resolution presented by the European Union (EU), overriding vocal objections by countries including Russia and China.
The public roll-call vote at the 53-member state body, holding its annual session in Geneva, was 22 countries in favour and 12 against, with 19 delegations abstaining. It was the second time the forum has condemned Russia on Chechnya.
Before the vote, Russia's envoy Mr Oleg Malguinov took the floor to reject the unacceptable resolution and said that his country would not consider itself to be bound by the text.
"It doesn't reflect reality, developments in the situation, real measures taken by the government and the real perspectives for dealing with the situation," the Russian told the forum.
The EU text strongly condemns the continued use of disproportionate and indiscriminate force by Russian military forces, federal servicemen and state agents, including attacks against civilians...as well as serious violations of human rights, such as forced disappearances, extra-judicial, summary and arbitrary executions, torture...
It expressed concern over the slow pace of investigating alleged serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by federal forces, federal servicemen and the personnel of law enforcement agencies against civilians .