Rights defenders criticize EU for deporting Chechen refugees to their homeland

The practice to deport citizens of Russia, who applied for asylum, including natives of Chechnya, is intensified in Europe, but this does not comply with the principles of the international law, notes human rights defender Svetlana Gannushkina. There are successful examples when the problem of deportation could be solved with the help of human rights defenders, notes journalist Elena Milashina.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 15, at a press conference in Moscow, human rights defender Svetlana Gannushkina presented her report "Why do Russian citizens seek asylum in Europe?"

In Europe, the growing campaign to deport to homeland the Russian citizens seeking asylum does not meet the principles of the international law, Svetlana Gannushkina, the head of the "Civic Assistance Committee", notes in her report.

During the presentation of her report, the human rights defender identified the main reasons that, according to her, forced natives of Chechnya to seek asylum in Europe, reported the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, who attended the press conference.

"First of all, it is danger to life, extrajudicial executions, kidnappings, and complete absence of human rights. These reasons can be seen not only in the case of Chechnya, but their scale is unique in Chechnya," Svetlana Gannushkina said.

Journalist Elena Milashina also presented her report "Chechens in Europe. How and why migration policy of European Union countries change in relation to people who were recently considered victims of two brutal wars and gross violations of human rights".

Elena Milashina notes there are successful examples when the problem of deportation of Chechen refugees is solved when they address human rights defenders.

"However, recently there is a tendency that the guarantees and recommendations of human rights defenders do not help. They listen to us, but decisions are made in favour of extradition or deportation," Elena Milashina said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 16, 2019 at 05:24 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.