A European human rights envoy said today Russian authorities had shown a willingness to improve human rights in Chechnya and rebuild the shattered province, but added that improvements were only just beginning.
Alvaro Gil-Robles, human rights commissioner for the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, told reporters he had seen the ill effects of Russia's military drive in Chechnya, where Russian troops have a tenuous hold despite periodic attacks by separatist rebels.
He described the ill effects of refugee camps, deprivation and destroyed buildings, but said he had noted some improvements during a three-day visit to Chechnya, his third trip there.
"This time, I saw the political will to move forward with democratic construction in Chechnya, with rebuilding, establishing peace and seeking political solutions," he said.
Russia denies its troops have regularly abused rights in Chechnya. The Foreign Ministry slammed a US report this week referring to credible accounts of killings, torture and rape.
The Council of Europe, a human rights and democracy body, has little political clout and Mr Gil-Robles said his mandate was limited to making recommendations.
But the Council's views carry significant weight in ex-communist eastern Europe, and Russian politicians were furious when its parliamentary assembly suspended Moscow's voting rights for nearly a year over conditions in Chechnya.