DATE=04/19/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= U-N RIGHTS COMMISSION (L)

NUMBER=2-288926

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=GENEVA

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Russia and Zimbabwe escaped censure today

(Friday) for their rights records at the United

Nation's top human rights forum. But as Dale Gavlak

reports from Geneva, Iraq, Cuba, Sudan and Israel were

not so lucky.

TEXT: By a razor-thin margin, the U-N Human Rights

Commission voted to avoid discussion on a resolution

condemning alleged abuses in Zimbabwe. African

countries sitting on the Commission, backed by Russia,

China and Cuba blocked a call by the European Union

to have a full debate on the subject.

Louba Freih of Human Rights Watch says the decision

sends the absolutely wrong message to the government

of President Robert Mugabe at this time.

///FREIH ACT///

A "no action" motion as was called by Nigeria speaking

for the African group is for us "appalling." It is a

tactic that is used to undermine the Commission on

Human Rights. It is actually like a "gag order," so

that a country situation is not even discussed.

///END ACT///

The E-U resolution criticized Zimbabwe for its alleged

flawed recent presidential election. It also drew

attention to political intimidation carried out by

supporters of President Mugabe during the election

campaign. It called on Zimbabwe to permit freedom of

speech.

The E-U also failed to have a resolution censuring

Russia for alleged abuses in Chechnya pass at the

Commission.

Ms. Freih of Human Rights Watch says the vote is very

disappointing especially after fresh evidence it

provided earlier this week of 87 new cases of

disappearances in Chechnya.

///SECOND FREIH ACT///

For us today's vote is a serious setback for human

rights. It sends a message also that countries like

Russia can intimidate the international community into

silence while undergoing its human rights violation in

Chechnya.

///END ACT///

The resolution criticized abuses by Russian troops and

rebels in the breakaway region and called for an end

to fighting there. It urged Russia to set up a

commission of inquiry into rights violations.

Russian officials accused the E-U of double standards

saying that the Chechnya conflict is part of the

international war on terrorism.

By a narrow vote, the Commission called on Cuba to

grant its citizens individual rights like the freedom

of speech, press and assembly. The Commission also

called on Israel to stop using Lebanese detainees

in Israeli jails as "bargaining chips" and called for

their release. Sudan came under criticism for

abductions of Southern Sudanese used as slaves. Iraq

was denounced for its treatment of minorities,

particularly Kurds in the north of the country.

(Signed)

NEB/DG/SAB