The Council of Europe has said that it may suspend Russia because of alleged human rights abuses in Chechnya. The Council, which brings together 41 European countries, the United States, Canada and former Soviet Asian republics, may also take Russia to court. The recommendation will be debated later this week. A decision in favour would not be binding on the council's executive, but it would be an embarrassment to Russia's President-elect, Vladimir Putin.
Speaking in Moscow, the UN Human Rights Commissioner, Mary Robinson, urged Russia to set up an independent inquiry into what she called serious and documented allegations of human rights abuses. Her comments came at the end of a controversial five-day visit to Russia and the North Caucasus region. The Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov warned Mrs. Robinson not to meddle in Russia's internal affairs.
