UN Special Rapporteur lists human rights violations in Northern Caucasus

In Northern Caucasus, mass torture, extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances occur; and in Chechnya, brutal suppression of political opponents, infringement of women's rights and persecution of people of non-traditional sexual orientation are widespread. This was stated by Mariana Katsarova, the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) on the situation of human rights in Russia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that during the years of the counterterrorist operation (CTO) and Ramzan Kadyrov's rule, thousands of people disappeared in Chechnya, but Russia failed to investigate into these disappearances, says the report presented by Oleg Orlov and Alexander Cherkasov, human rights defenders.

According to the "Memorial" Centre for Human Rights Defence, the UN report notes that Chechen leadership is often criticized for suppressing any political dissent, and for severe restrictions imposed on the freedom of peaceful assemblies, of opinions and expression thereof, including the freedom of the press. The murders of independent journalists remain non-investigated.

The report also talks about the persecution of LGBTIQ+ people – men being rounded up and tortured based on their perceived sexual orientation. Women's rights are also infringed: they are forced to obey local traditions; otherwise they may be subject to violence, including honour killings. Girls are pressured to return from foreign countries and live in "traditional relationships."

Among other human rights violations committed in Russia, Ms Katsarova highlighted the use of the law on foreign agents, discrediting the Russian Army, and mobilization to participate in the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine.

"The Rapporteur has stated that Russian authorities refused to communicate with her and would ignore any of her appeals," Tamila Imanova, a lawyer with the above "Memorial" Centre, has noted.