Russia escaped condemnation by the UN's top human rights body today, as a resolution highlighting violations in the breakaway region of Chechnya was narrowly defeated.
The 53-member UN Human Rights Commission rejected the resolution, presented by the European Union, by just one vote, with 16 member-countries voting against, 15 in favour and 22 abstaining.
Russia rejected the draft resolution ahead of voting, calling it "politically motivated" and painting a "false picture".
It justified its military operations in Chechnya in the name of the international fight against terrorism.
"Are we not entitled to the same treatment when we combat terror," said the Russian delegate pointing out that the US was among the co-sponsors of the resolution.
Russia also received the backing of China and India who stressed territorial integrity, non-interference and the fight against terror.
The draft resolution had expressed deep concern at "reports of continued violations of human rights and humanitarian law" in Chechnya.
It highlighted forced disappearances, extrajudicial, summary or arbitarary executions, torture, and "reports indicating disproportionate and indiscriminate use of Russian military force" in the southern Russian republic.
AFP