MOSCOW. Oct 29 (Interfax-AVN) - The Council of Europe is ready to help Russia with the promotion of democracy and peace in Chechnya, Alvaro Gil Robles, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, told Interfax after a Monday meeting with Chairman of the Duma International Committee Dmitry Rogozin.
It is time to speak about peace, he said.
The Commissioner said he had met with Duma representatives to discuss a Strasbourg seminar on human rights, in particular, those in Chechnya.
Meanwhile, Rogozin told Interfax that the seminar has been planned for late November. "We met with Alvaro Gil Robles to coordinate the parameters and goals of this seminar," he said. It will focus on violations of human rights by Chechen rebels, the Chechens' use of their right to vote, assistance for the restoration of law and order in the republic, and activities of local administrations.
"If the seminar is not politicized, it may have a positive effect on pacification in the Northern Caucasus," Rogozin said.