The UNPO General Secretariat welcomes the appointment by the Dutch government of Mr. Niek Biegman as special representative of the EU Presidency in Ukraine and stresses the point that - being a member of the Council of Europe - Russia must respect basic principles of human rights law and comply with the declaration of International Observers in relation to the unfair electoral process in Ukraine.

UNPO remains deeply concerned about Russia’s policy towards Chechnya and appeals to the European Union Council to seriously considerate the peace plan proposed by the Mashkadov government for an Interim UN administration in Chechnya, as the only viable solution to end human rights violations and the conflict in the region.

For more information please contact: UNPO General Secretariat - Tel. +31 70 3646504