Red Cross: visits to Chechnya prisons are useful for authorities

Jacob Kellenberg, head of International Red Cross Committee, expressed his deep concern in connection with violation of prisoners' rights in the prisons of Northern Caucasus and, in particular, in Chechnya.

In this connection, Kellenberg is sure that visits of prisoners by Red Cross staff must be resumed for humanitarian purposes, reported Russian service of the BBC.

The IRCC think that such visits play a constructive role and are made in the interests of the local authorities responsible for conditions in prisons.

Kellenberg notes that the standard procedure of visits is carried out in 80 countries of the world. The IRCC head says that he is ready to come to Moscow in order to discuss with President Putin further cooperation of Russia and the Red Cross.

Earlier it was reported that the IRCC had addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin for reopening access to prisoners deprived of liberty during the conflict in Chechnya.

According to "Reuters", the Red Cross suspended its visits of prisoners of the Chechen conflict period in September 2004, pointing out that a number of conditions did not meet its requirements. However, today Jacob Kellenberg, Red Cross president, again addressed V.Putin with a written request to grant access to prisoners. So far, negotiations on the issue have not yielded any concrete results.

In North Caucasus, detention facilities are widely known as places where suspects face unacceptable treatment. Torture is a procedural norm and among the main tools for obtaining evidence.

According to "Associated Press", during their visits, the Red Cross officers registered more than 3000 arrestees in North Caucasus. IRCC think that there were more but it was hard to contact detainees.

IRCC insist on personal meetings with each arrestee, subsequent check visits and gathering of full information about the places where arrestees may be held.