E/CN.4/2003/24
page 35
51.
In the light of the foregoing, the information contained in the Special Rapporteur’s
communication concerning the refusal of the Krasnodar authorities to issue residence permits
to 13,000 Meskhetian Turks, and concerning the creation of “deportation centres”, the staff of
which is allegedly made up of members of paramilitary groups, does not correspond with reality.
3. Observations of the Special Rapporteur
52.
The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of the Russian Federation for its reply.
With regard to the general manifestations of racism and incitement to ethnic hatred, the Special
Rapporteur recommends that the Russian authorities organize a national campaign against racial
discrimination and in favour of social harmony. With regard to the disorderly conduct that
caused the death of three persons in the vicinity of the Tsaritsyno metro station in Moscow
on 30 October 2001, the Special Rapporteur would like to be informed of the conclusions of the
Moscow city court. With regard to the behaviour of the police towards ethnic and racial
minorities and foreigners, the Special Rapporteur encourages the authorities of the
Russian Federation to take measures to improve the behaviour of the police so that their actions
are more in conformity with respect for human rights. Such measures could include training
police officers in human rights, in particular in non-discrimination in the performance of their
duties. Finally, the Special Rapporteur takes note of the detailed information on efforts to find
solutions to the problems of the place of residence and nationality of the Meskhetian Turks. He
remains very interested in the resolution of this extremely worrying situation.
D. Greece
1. Joint communication of 13 September 2002, sent together with
the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture
Summary of allegations
53.
The Special Rapporteurs have received information on the following individual cases.
54.
Lazaros Bekos and Eleftherios Kotropoulos, two Roma youths aged 17 and 18
respectively, were reportedly beaten during their detention in Mesolongi police station on
8 May 1998. A forensic report allegedly stated that both of them received “medium bodily
injuries, inflicted with a broken instrument” during their detention. It is also reported that a
sworn administrative inquiry conducted by the police recommended that the two officers be
placed on “temporary suspension” because “during the early hours of 8 May 1998 they behaved
with exceptional brutality towards the two youths”. According to the information received, three
police officers were indicted for “jointly-induced bodily harm caused by a person, whose duties
are the investigation of possible criminal acts, with the intent to extort deposition or information”
after the two youths pressed charges. It is alleged that, following another sworn administrative
inquiry launched by the police, sanctions were imposed on two police officers. These sanctions
were reportedly made in the form of an around US$ 100 fine. A third officer, the Director of the
Security Service at the police station concerned, is reported to have been tried for these alleged
beatings. He is believed to have been accused of “not preventing the ill-treatment of the
two arrested individuals” but to have been eventually acquitted for lack of evidence
on 8 October 2001.