The United Nations' human rights body will help establish the
rule of law in Chechnya, the United Nations' top human rights
official said on Friday.
"There is no question that the federal authorities are seized
with this issue ... I have offered the support and expertise of my
office in these efforts," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Louise Arbour told a press conference, the Interfax news agency
reported.
During her visit to Russia, Arbour traveled to the Caucasus
regions of Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia.
A long-awaited reconstruction process is underway in Chechnya,
Arbour said.
Arbour welcomed the establishment of Chechnya's political
institutions and emphasized the transfer of power to local
authorities. Meanwhile, she noted problems in Chechnya's law
enforcement agencies and unofficial units.
Arbour said the UN human rights body will open an office in
Moscow in several months' time.
The UN top human rights official earlier met President Vladimir
Putin and other Russian officials.
(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2006)
