'Russia should improve stability, human rights in Caucasus'

The human rights commissioner of the Council of Europe is urging Chechen authorities to do more to protect citizens from terrorism in the republic. Thomas Hammarberg has reported on the situation in the North Caucasus after a visit to the Russian Republics of Chechnya and Ingushetia in September. He says the authorities are making an effort to enforce the law but stability in the region hasn't been achieved. The report adds that since the end of last year, NGOs have reported an increase in the number of abductions and disappearances in Chechnya. On Monday, President Medvedev promised support to NGOs during a meeting with human rights activists at the Kremlin.