06.2008 - Source: Freedom House

At least 632 people became victims of hate crimes motivated by ethnic intolerance in 2007 ("Nations in Transit 2008") [ID 23569]

"Ethnic intolerance remains a major problem.

According to Sova, an independent NGO that tracks hate-crimes across Russia, there were 632 victims of such crimes in 2007 - including 67 people who died.

The 2007 numbers marked an increase as the group counted 564 victims, including 61 deaths, in 2006.

A Moscow Human Rights Bureau report on youth extremism in Russia claimed that there were 141 active extremist youth groups with approximately half a million members.

Many of the groups are concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In its analysis of 2007, Sova found that, unfortunately, prosecutions of violent crimes dropped for the first time since 2003."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Minorities were subjected to frequent discrimination by government officials; police reportedly beat, harassed, and demanded bribes from persons with dark skin, or who appeared to be from Caucasus region, Central Asia, or Africa ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22697]

"The law prohibits discrimination based on nationality; however, minorities were subjected to frequent discrimination by government officials, and there continued to be a steady rise in societal violence and discrimination against minorities, particularly Roma, persons from the Caucasus and Central Asia, and dark skinned persons, as well as foreigners. Skinhead groups and other extreme nationalist organizations fomented racially motivated violence; the number of hate crimes increased. Racist propaganda was also a problem.

Federal and local law enforcement continued disproportionately targeting members of ethnic minorities. Police reportedly beat, harassed, and demanded bribes from persons with dark skin, or who appeared to be from the Caucasus region, Central Asia, or Africa. Authorities in Moscow continued to subject dark-skinned persons to far more frequent document checks than others and frequently detained or fined them in amounts that exceeded legally permissible penalties. A 2006 study by the Open Society Justice Initiative found that, while persons of non-Slavic appearance comprised only 4.6 percent of the riders on the Moscow subway, they made up 50.9 percent of persons stopped by police at subway exits. At one station, those of non-Slavic appearance were 85 times more likely to be stopped by police. (…) "

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Societal violence and discrimination on ethnic and racial grounds continued to be serious problem; during 2007, Moscow Bureau for Human Rights (MHRB) recorded 230 xenophobic attacks and conflicts, in which 74 persons died ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22698]

For further information on cases, please see the report.

"Societal violence and discrimination on ethnic and racial grounds continued to be a serious, slowly increasing, and intractable problem. The government sent mixed messages – on the one hand officials made appeals for tolerance, on the other hand efforts on issues such as migration at times exacerbated the problem. Numerous racially motivated attacks took place against members of minority groups and foreigners, especially those of Central Asian, Caucasian, or African ethnicity. During the year, the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights (MHRB) reported recording 230 xenophobic attacks and conflicts, in which 74 persons died and over 317 were injured. According to the NGO SOVA Center, xenophobic attacks killed 67 and injured 550 persons during the year, an increase from 54 killed and 466 injured in 2006; in 2005, the figures were 31 and 413, respectively. SOVA Center reported that there were 16 criminal convictions for hate crimes in 2005, and 28 during 2006. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that, through November, 14,921 crimes were committed against foreign citizens and persons without citizenship, a 4 percent increase over the same period in 2006. The ministry's report for January-November noted 327 crimes "of an extremist nature," although it did not specify its criteria or the specific crimes categorized under that general heading.

During the year there were a number of violent but nonfatal, attacks of apparent racial motivation in St. Petersburg. On February 4, students attacked a Cameroonian student and a Moldovan salesgirl on the St. Petersburg subway; the Prosecutor's Office acknowledged a racial motivation for the attacks. On May 3, police arrested three students in connection with these attacks. No information on the outcome of the case was available. "

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

In 2007 24 persons convicted for committing ethnically or racially motivated crimes; police investigations of such cases frequently ineffective; authorities often called attacks “hooliganism” ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22699]

"During the year only 24 persons were convicted for committing ethnically or racially motivated crimes, compared to 109 convictions in 2006. In most cases the attackers wore skinhead attire or proclaimed nationalist slogans. During the year members of ethnic or racial minorities were the victims of beatings, extortion, and harassment by skinheads and members of other racist and extremist groups. Police investigations of such cases were frequently ineffective, and authorities were often reluctant to acknowledge the racial or nationalistic element in the crimes, often calling attacks "hooliganism." Many victims, particularly immigrants and asylum seekers who lacked residence documents recognized by police, chose not to report such attacks or experienced indifference on the part of police."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: Minority Rights Group International

Deepening xenophobia in Russian society and government policy under President Putin ("State of the World's Minorities 2008") [ID 22886]

"Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia continued its slide into authoritarianism over the course of 2007, in parallel with the development of deepening xenophobia in Russian society and government policy. (…)
SOVA, a Russian non-governmental organization (NGO) that monitors hate crimes, recorded 539 attacks on ethnic minorities, including 54 murders, over the course of 2006. A public opinion poll in December 2006 found that 54 per cent of Russians surveyed agreed with the statement ‘Russia is for Russians’. Public officials have frequently stoked such chauvinistic sentiment. In November 2006, the deputy chief of the Russian migration service explained that ethnic minorities should not exceed 17–20 per cent of the population in any town, and that ‘exceeding this norm creates discomfort for the indigenous population’. That same month, President Putin explained that planned restrictions on the employment of non-Russian citizens, including legal immigrants, would serve to ‘ease tension on the labour market and make it more civilized’. (…)"

Document(s): Open document

24.10.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

In 2006 and 2007 violent racist attacks have continued to occur in Russia with alarming regularity; alarming rise in attacks against people of non-Slav origin ("Update Briefing: What progress has been made since May 2006 to tackle violent racism? [EUR 46/047/2007]") [ID 21369]

For further information and individual cases please see the report.

"While there has been an increase in prosecutions recognizing racial hatred, and some local initiatives have improved police response, the authorities are still not doing enough to convincingly challenge racist and xenophobic ideas and ideologies, let alone implement a strong programme to combat them. (...)
In 2006 and 2007 violent racist attacks have continued to occur in Russia with alarming regularity, mostly concentrated in big cities such as Moscow, St Petersburg and Nizhnii Novgorod, where the majority of foreigners and ethnic minorities live. Exact figures for numbers of attacks and racist incidents are hard to verify. However, the SOVA Information and Analytical Centre, a Russian non-governmental organization (NGO) that monitors racist violence, mainly through media reports, announced on 1 October 2007 that “in the period of January 1 to September 30, 2007 in Russia, there were no less than 230 racially motivated attacks affecting a total of 409 people, including 46 fatalities. Last year in the same period, there were 180 attacks with 401 victims, 41 of them dying as a result.”1 SOVA is very concerned that racist violence is growing dramatically. (...)
It is important to highlight that while attacks against foreign nationals from the “far abroad” (Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas) represent a serious problem, there has been an alarming rise in attacks against those of non-Slav origin, or those who do not look “typically” Russian, from countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Georgia, and from constituent parts of the Russian Federation – such as the republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia, Tatarstan and Dagestan. Anti-Semitic attacks and desecration of Jewish cemeteries have also been reported. (...) Occasionally, tensions have risen between local ethnic Russian and non-Russian residents following disturbances marked by racist and xenophobic undertones, as exemplified in Kondopoga in August 2006, when hundreds of ethnic Chechens and others of Caucasian origin had to flee the town after a fight in an Azeri restaurant prompted a riot; in Stavropol in May to early June 2007, when a series of fights involving 300-400 ethnic Russian and Chechens left one Chechen and two Russians dead; and in Moscow in June 2007, when, according to reports, an anti-immigrant group attacked people of Caucasian origin in central Moscow, resulting in the stabbing of an ethnic Armenian."

Document(s): Open document

19.09.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Official reaction to problem of violent racist attacks still far from adequate; research suggests that number of racist attacks is increasing and that attacks are becoming more violent ("Human rights concerns [EUR 46/040/2007]") [ID 21391]

"Despite some progress evident over the last year, the official reaction to the problem of violent racist attacks is still far from adequate, and convictions are few and far between. Progress has included increased efforts by authorities to recognise the issue of racism, reports from foreign students that university authorities in Moscow and St Petersburg have made considerable efforts to improve liaison with students and security on university campuses, and some indications that the legal provisions against racism are being used more effectively. There still appears to be no comprehensive federal programme to combat racist and xenophobic ideas and ideologies. New amendments to the law on extremism seem to be used inconsistently in tackling crimes based on racist or radical views.

Violent racist attacks continue to occur in Russia with alarming regularity. Mostly concentrated in big cities, where the majority of foreigners and ethnic minorities live, exact figures for numbers of attacks and racist incidents are hard to verify. However, a Russian NGO which monitors the media for reports of alleged racist and neo-nazi crimes(2), published a figure of 301 people becoming victims of such crimes in the first seven months of 2007, of which 37 died. Overall, research by Russian human rights organizations, focussing on the problem of racism suggests that the number is increasing and that the attacks are becoming more violent. Anti-racism campaigners continue to face threats because of their work while the authorities often seem to be reluctant to investigate death threats. There have been a number of attacks against anti-extremism activists, of which at least one was fatal.

Document checks on members of ethnic groups such as those from the Caucasus and Central Asia which are conducted as so-called "counter-terrorist" measures but often lead to extortion by police and sometimes to serious human rights violations such as torture or ill-treatment. In addition, Amnesty International has researched several cases of deportation of migrants and refugees from the Russian Federation to countries where they are at risk of serious human rights violations (see below)."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Ethnic conflicts provide source of instability; campaign against ehnic Georgians in October 2006 signaled government's implicit approval for attacks on Georgians and other groups from the Caucasus and demonstrates that law enforcement and court systems are political tools to be deployed when convenient ("Nations in Transit 2007") [ID 20440]

"Ethnic conflicts provide another source of instability. The state-orchestrated campaign against ethnic Georgians, which resulted in the closure of dozens of Georgian businesses and the deportation of more than a thousand Georgians in the first part of October, signaled to Russian nationalists throughout the country the government’s implicit approval for attacks on Georgians and other groups from the Caucasus. The crackdown, timed to coincide with Russia’s conflict with Georgia, also demonstrates that the law enforcement and court systems are political tools to be deployed when convenient. 3 Such nationalist appeals are easy to make but very hard to control. Conflict between Slavic and Caucasian groups in Kondopoga, including murder and pogroms, have already demonstrated the ferocity of unleashed tensions."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

Refugees, NGOs, and press reported that police beat, arrested, and extorted money from persons who appeared to be non-Slavic, including Roma and those from Caucasus, Central Asia or Africa ("World Refugee Survey 2007") [ID 20697]

"Refugees, NGOs, and the press reported that police beat, arrested, and extorted money from persons who appeared to be non-Slavic, including Roma and those from the Caucasus, Central Asia, or Africa. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, assailants committed more than 150 crimes “of an extremist nature” against non-Russians. Xenophobic attacks reportedly killed more than 50 persons and injured nearly 470 (up from about 30 and 410 the year before), mostly in Moscow.

In a 10-day period in late July and early August in Moscow, skinheads beat two Iranians outside Frunzenskaya Metro Station, shot a non-Slav looking veteran with an air gun, stabbed to death a 19-year-old man from Uzbekistan, wounded a Turkish national, and stabbed three people from Dagestan several times, hospitalizing two of them with life-threatening injuries. A bomb attack in August directed against central Asian traders in Moscow killed ten, including Uzbeks."

Document(s): Nepal - Sierra Leone
Full Report

30.05.2007 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism on the political and legal strategy of the public authorities in combating racism and on views of civil society and communities which are victims of racism and xenophobia ("Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Doudou Diène; Addendum: Mission to the Russian Federation [A/HRC/4/19/Add.3]") [ID 20469]

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Authorities failed to provide protection or to investigate effectively many racially motivated attacks, including murders; inadequate prosecution of race hate crimes ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 19971]

"The authorities failed to provide protection or to investigate effectively many racially motivated attacks, including murders. A small rise in prosecutions of race hate crimes and local initiatives such as increased policing were inadequate to address the scale of the problem, and there was no comprehensive programme to combat racist and xenophobic ideas and ideologies.

• Liana Sisoko, a nine-year-old girl of Russian and Malian origin, was seriously injured when she was stabbed on 25 March by two youths near the lift in her block of flats in St Petersburg. The attackers reportedly painted a swastika and the words "skinheads?we did it" near the scene of the attack.

• A Romani man and an ethnic Russian woman were killed in an apparently racist attack by 20 youths armed with metal bars and spades who attacked a Romani family and the woman, a visitor, in the Volgograd Region on 13 April. Others were seriously injured.

• Seven defendants were convicted of "hooliganism" in March for their roles in the fatal attack on a nine-year-old Tajik girl, Khursheda Sultonova, in February 2004. They were sentenced to between 18 months' and five and a half years' imprisonment. The only defendant charged with racially motivated murder was acquitted on that count."

Document(s): Open document

02.05.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Moscow-based rights group Sova says 25 people have been killed and 154 injured in racially motivated attacks so far this year ("Russian Group Says Killed 25 In Hate Crimes This Year") [ID 19799]

Document(s): Open document

27.03.2007 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

439 persons across the country were victims of violence motivated by racial and ethnic hatred between January and November 2006; victims of racist violence included foreign students, asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and minority members and anti-racism activists; perpetrators continued to act with relative impunity ("Human Rights in the OSCE Region: Europe, Central Asia and North America, Report 2007 (Events of 2006)") [ID 19376]

"According to statistics compiled by the Russian Analytical and Information Center SOVA, a total of 439 persons were victims of violence motivated by racial and ethnic hatred in Russia during the period January- November 2006. Out of these 44 died because of the injuries they sustained. Attacks were reported from across the country, but most occurred in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Victims of racist violence included foreign students, asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and minority members, as well as anti-racism activists and others viewed as sympathizing with foreigners or minority groups and therefore as being “unpatriotic.” The perpetrators of racially and ethnically motivated hate crimes continued to act with relative impunity as existing criminal law provisions for punishing such offenses were not adequately implemented. Although the number of cases in which hate motives were taken into account in the prosecution of violent assaults increased in comparison to previous years, the number of such cases (25 in the first 11 months) still remained low in comparison to the total number of attacks reported, and the sentences handed down by courts in these cases were frequently suspended. Moreover, in many cases, attacks were prosecuted as acts of “hooliganism” rather than as hate crimes and, in other cases, they were not investigated, prosecuted or punished at all. Hate crimes took place in a climate in which racist and intolerant views were highly prevalent in public debate and opinion."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Roma, persons from the Caucasus and Central Asia, dark skinned persons, and foreigners faced widespread governmental and societal discrimination; skinhead groups and other extreme nationalist organizations fomented racially motivated violence; police reportedly beat, harassed, and demanded bribes from persons with dark skin ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19979]

"The law prohibits discrimination based on nationality; however, Roma, persons from the Caucasus and Central Asia, dark skinned persons, and foreigners faced widespread governmental and societal discrimination, which was often reflected in official attitudes and actions (see section 1.c.). Skinhead groups and other extreme nationalist organizations fomented racially motivated violence. Muslims and Jews continued to encounter prejudice and societal discrimination, although it was often difficult to separate religious from ethnic motivations (see section 2.c.).

Human rights observers noted that racist propaganda and racially motivated violence are punishable by law, but despite some improvement in law enforcement efforts, the law was employed infrequently. However, the authorities demonstrated an increased awareness of the problem through numerous public statements. For example, in his public address on May 9, Putin stated "those who try to raise the rejected banners of Nazism, who spread racial hatred, extremism, and xenophobia are leading the world to a dead end, to senseless bloodshed and cruelty."

Federal and local law enforcement continued to be applied disproportionately to members of ethnic minorities. Police reportedly beat, harassed, and demanded bribes from persons with dark skin, or who appeared to be from the Caucasus region, Central Asia, or Africa. (...)

Authorities in Moscow subjected dark-skinned persons to far more frequent document checks than others and frequently detained or fined them in amounts that exceeded legally permissible penalties. The Moscow Metro Monitoring Study, published in June by the Open Society Justice Initiative and other organizations, found that persons of non-Slavic appearance made up only 4.6 percent of the riders on the Metro system but 50.9 percent of persons stopped by police at Metro exits. At one station, those of non-Slavic appearancewere 85 times more likely be stopped by police. According to a poll by the Public Opinion Fund, 52 percent of Russians would approve if some ethnic groups were expelled. This is an increase from 44 percent in 2002. "

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

During the year numerous racially motivated attacks took place against members of minority groups and foreigners, particularly Asians and Africans ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19991]

For further information on xenophobic and racially motivated attacks please see the report

"During the year numerous racially motivated attacks took place against members of minority groups and foreigners, particularly Asians and Africans. According to Ministry of Internal Affairs statistics, 13,307 crimes were committed against foreign citizens and persons without citizenship in 2005, a 29 percent increase over 2004, although this figure covers all crimes against this sector of the population, not only hate crimes. The ministry's 2005 annual report reported 152 crimes "of an extremist nature" although it does not specify its criteria or the specific crimes categorized under that general heading. The St. Petersburg city prosecutor claimed 1.8 percent of the crimes against foreigners in the city were "extremist" in nature. According to the prosecutor, there were 39 foreigners killed in St. Petersburg in 2005 and only two of them qualified as hate crimes. St. Petersburg's African Union reported six deaths in the city as the result of xenophobia during the first 11 months of the year.
According to the NGO SOVA Center, xenophobic attacks killed at least 54 persons and injured 466 during the year; in 2005, the figures were 31 and 413, respectively. SOVA Center found four guilty verdicts reported with a bias motive in 2003, eight in 2004, 16 in 2005, and 28 during the year."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Number of racially motivated assaults has increased in 2006; until 30 November 2006, a total of 44 deaths and 395 injuries following racist assaults has been registered ("Nordkaukasus; Entwicklungen in Tschetschenien sowie in Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkarien, Inguschetien und Nordossetien") [ID 18721]

"Gleichzeitig nutzen die russischen Behörden den offiziellen Kampf gegen Extremismus immer wieder, um die Gesetzgebung zu verschärfen und so die politische Opposition zu unterdrücken. Im Umgang mit rechtsextremen Gruppierungen greifen die Behörden zudem oft zu gesetzeswidrigen Methoden, was die gerichtliche Ahndung erschwert und die Extremisten zu «Opfern der Polizei» macht. Die Kombination von anti-faschistischer Demagogie, diskriminierender Rhetorik und missbräuchlichen Methoden zur Unterdrückung von Rechtsextremismus birgt die Gefahr, in der russischen Gesellschaft noch mehr Rassenhass zu provozieren. Die Zahl der rassistisch motivierten Übergriffe nahm im Jahr 2006 erneut zu: Bis zum 30. November 2006 registrierte das SOWA-Zentrum 44 Tote und 395 Verletzte bei rassistischen Überfällen, im Vergleich zu 42 Toten und 406 Verletzten im ganzen Jahr 2005. Überdurchschnittlich häufig – nämlich in rund einem Drittel der Fälle – sind Menschen aus dem Kaukasus Opfer dieser Übergriffe."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

More than 100 racist and xenophobic attacks reported last year, including 36 murders and 286 people beaten or wounded ("World Report 2007") [ID 19493]

"Human rights groups reported more than a hundred racist and xenophobic attacks— an increase over last year—including at least 36 murders and 286 people beaten or wounded in the first nine months of the year. Notably, in September violent mobs in Kondopoga, in northern Russia, attacked residents from the Caucasus, causing hundreds to flee the city fearing for their lives. Some of the more serious attacks have been prosecuted, but police routinely characterize racist crimes as hooliganism, a misdemeanor charge, rather than use sentencing enhancement for hate-motivated crimes available in Russian law. After months of rising tensions between the Russian and Georgian governments, in October 2006 Georgian authorities in Tbilisi briefly detained four Russian military officers on accusations of espionage. In retaliation, the Russian government deported hundreds of Georgians, forced Georgian-owned businesses to close, and asked teachers for lists of school children with Georgian last names so their parents could be investigated for visa or tax violations."

Document(s): Open document

17.11.2006 - Source: Guardian

President Putin approved plans to ban foreigners from trading at street stalls and markets; immigrants from former Soviet republics dominate markets, hundreds of thousands will lose jobs ("Russia bans thousands of foreign traders") [ID 17619]

"Hundreds of thousands of people in Russia will lose their jobs after President Vladimir Putin approved plans to ban foreigners from trading at street stalls and markets. Immigrants from former Soviet republics such as Georgia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan dominate markets in Russia, mainly selling fruit and vegetables. The new measures, which were condemned as discriminatory and ill-conceived by human rights and migrants' activists, will come into effect next year said the prime minister, Mikhail Fradkov, in a televised meeting with Mr Putin."

Document(s): Open document

16.11.2006 - Source: BBC News

Deputy head of migration service calls for limit of 20% on concentration of ethnic minorities in cities to prevent "enclaves" ("Russia tightens rules on migrants") [ID 17620]

Document(s): Open document

14.11.2006 - Source: UK Home Office

Roma, persons from the Caucasus and Central Asia, dark skinned persons and foreigners face widespread governmental and societal discrimination, although prohibited by law; police reportedly beat, harassed, and demanded bribes from persons with dark skin ("Operational Guidance Note: Russian Federation") [ID 17971]

"The law prohibits discrimination based on nationality; however, Roma, persons from the Caucasus and Central Asia, dark skinned persons and foreigners faced widespread governmental and societal discrimination, which was often reflected in official attitudes and actions. Skinhead groups and other extreme nationalist organisations fomented racially motivated violence. Human rights observers noted that racist propaganda and racially motivated violence are punishable by law, but despite some increases in law enforcement efforts, the law was employed infrequently. In some cases a lack of trust in the police prevented victims from reporting any attacks.

Federal and local measures to combat crime continued to be applied disproportionately to persons appearing to be from the Caucasus and Central Asia in 2005. Police reportedly beat, harassed, and demanded bribes from persons with dark skin, or who appeared to be from the Caucasus, Central Asia, or Africa. Authorities in Moscow subjected dark-skinned persons to far more frequent document checks than others and frequently detained them or fined them in amounts that exceeded legally permissible penalties. Police often failed to record infractions against minorities or to issue a written record to the alleged perpetrators. Law enforcement authorities also targeted such persons for deportation from urban centres."

Document(s): Open document

14.11.2006 - Source: UK Home Office

According to MVD statistics, 11,100 crimes committed against foreign citizens and persons without citizenship from January to October 2005; police investigations frequently ineffective ("Operational Guidance Note: Russian Federation") [ID 17972]

"During 2005 numerous racially motivated attacks took place against members of minority groups and foreigners, particularly Asians and Africans. According to MVD statistics, 11,100 crimes were committed against foreign citizens and persons without citizenship from January to October 2005. Private individuals or small groups that espoused racial hatred generally carried out such attacks. Police investigations of such cases were frequently ineffective and authorities were often reluctant to acknowledge the racial or nationalistic element in the crimes. Many victims, particularly migrants and asylum seekers who lacked residence documents recognised by the police, chose not to report such attacks or experienced indifference on the part of police."

Document(s): Open document

11.07.2006 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Racial and ethnic discrimination is pervasive in education, health care, housing, employment, and public services; feelings of ethnic nationalism exploited through state-controlled mass media ("Six Points for the G7") [ID 15409]

"Increasing discrimination and violence against members of minority groups suggests that equal treatment and protection is not adequately guaranteed. Russia has not even drafted anti-discrimination legislation nor ratified international anti-discrimination documents.  Racial and ethnic discrimination is pervasive in education, health care, housing, employment, and public services. Some political figures exploit feelings of ethnic nationalism through state-controlled mass media, endangering minority groups; public calls by others to fight fascism and punish perpetrators of racist violence are not accompanied by practical measures."

Document(s): Open document

07.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Authorities turn blind eye to ethnic intolerance and fail to crack down on sale of literature that openly calls for violence against non-Russians ("Nations in Transit 2006") [ID 15816]

"While the positive forces of civil society have had difficulty establishing themselves, there has been a rise in the number of racially motivated hate crimes in Russia, according to the SOVA Center, which tracks these incidents. The frequency of the attacks increased in 2005, with a record 179 incidents, though the number of murder victims dropped to 28, down from 46 in 2004. The authorities often do not prosecute these crimes, choosing to protect ethnic Russians who commit them, according to human rights activists in St. Petersburg like the Democratic Russia Party's Ruslan Linkov. Linkov cited the authorities' failure to crack down on the sale of literature that openly calls for violence against non-Russian groups.Further evidence that the authorities were turning a blind eye to intolerance came when Vladimir Yakovlev's Ministry of Regional Development prepared a draft nationalities policy that sought to form a "united multinational society under the consolidating role of the Russian people." At the same time, the Kremlin is advancing nationalist youth projects, such as the group Nashi (Ours), while working with an eye toward countering the rise of youth groups such as those in Ukraine that might seek political change in Russia. SOVA also notes that it has become harder to punish people convicted of racially motivated crimes."

Document(s): Open document

23.06.2006 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Increasing number of assaults on foreigners and increasingly brutal nature of these attacks; according to NGO 18 people killed and more than 100 injured so far in 2006 ("Hard Times for Caucasians in Moscow") [ID 15405]

"Armenia is still reeling from the brutal murder of 18-year-old Artur Sardarian last month. Sardarian, an Armenian resident of Moscow, was taking a commuter train home from work on May 25 when a group of lads set on him, stabbing him in the neck and then five more times in the chest. Each knife thrust was accompanied by cries of “Glory to Russia!” eyewitnesses said. The attack took place on the day celebrations kicked off for “Armenia Year” in Russia. (…)The sense that xenophobic violence is on the rise is supported by data from Sova, a British non-governmental group that monitors racist attacks in Russia, which indicated that 18 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in hate crimes so far in 2006.Doudou Diene, the United Nations special rapporteur on racism and xenophobia who has just completed a report on Russia, told a press conference in Moscow on June 16 that he was concerned not only at the rising number of assaults on foreigners, but also by the increasingly brutal nature seen in these attacks. (…)"

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Reportedly at least 28 murders and 365 assaults across the country motivated by racial hatred; Peruvian student killed in Voronezh in October, attacks on Roma in Novosibirsk region, 9-year-old Tajik girl killed in 2004 ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 15386]

"Foreign nationals from all around the world, including asylum-seekers, refugees, students and migrant workers, were victims of racially motivated physical assaults, some of which were fatal. The Sova Information-Analytical Centre reported that there were at least 28 murders and 365 assaults across the country which had been motivated by racial hatred. Citizens of the Russian Federation were also targeted, in particular Chechens and other North Caucasus ethnic groups, Jews, Roma and practising Muslims. In some cases a lack of trust in the police prevented victims from reporting the attack. Meskhetians living in Krasnodar Territory continued to be refused Russian citizenship on grounds of ethnicity, resulting in discrimination in almost every aspect of daily life. Anti-racist protest marches and initiatives took place in cities notorious for attacks, including Voronezh, St Petersburg, Tiumen and Moscow. Peruvian student Enrique Arturo Angelis Urtado was beaten and stabbed to death in October in the city of Voronezh, and two other students were badly injured. A number of people were detained in connection with the attack. There were suspected arson attacks and robberies on Roma homes in the town of Iskitim, Novosibirsk region, and Roma were subjected to threats and assaults. The Novosibirsk regional procuracy stated that it was investigating the incidents. In October a jury in St Petersburg started to hear evidence in the case of Khursheda Sultonova, a nine-year-old Tajik girl who was killed in February 2004. Seven people, aged between 14 and 21 when the crime was committed, faced charges of hooliganism, punishable by seven years’ imprisonment, and one youth, aged 14 when the crime was committed, faced charges of murder of a person in a helpless state, motivated by racial hatred, as well as hooliganism and robbery."

Document(s): Open document

01.05.2006 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

At least 7 political parties at federal level with ideologie based on xenophobia and/or racism; independant experts estimate that there are 70,000 skinhead activists ("Human Rights in the OSCE Region: Europe, Central Asia and North America, Report 2006 (Events of 2005)") [ID 15650]

"According to information from the Moscow Bureau of Human Rights, at least seven political parties and movements with an ideology based on xenophobia and/or racism operated at the federal level. These included the Russian National Unity (RNE) (and its branches); the “brown Pora” created by the RNE; the National Sovereign Party of Russia (NDPR); the Movement against Illegal Immigration (DPNI); the People’s National Party (NNP); the Party of Freedom; and the Russian National Union. In addition, a number of nationalist movements operated at the regional level, such as “Vityaz” (Astrakhan’), “Otechestvo” (Kuban’) and the fund “City without Drugs” (Yekaterinburg).

According to law enforcement authorities, there were 10,000 nationalist skinhead activists in the country. These were organized into 35 different groups, most of which operated in the Moscow region and in St. Petersburg. Independent experts, however, estimated that the total number of skinhead activists was much higher, or up to 70,000."

Document(s): Open document

05.04.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

According to human rights activists, 6 people killed and 79 injured in racist attacks this year ("Racism In Russia Reportedly Kills Six, Injures 79 This Year") [#48327],  [ID 11308]

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Pattern of police beatings, arrests, and extortion directed at persons with dark skin or who appeared to be from the Caucasus, Central Asia, or Africa ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46144],  [ID 11309]

"Reports by refugees, NGOs, and the press suggested a pattern of police beatings, arrests, and extortion directed at persons with dark skin or who appeared to be from the Caucasus, Central Asia, or Africa, and at Roma. For example in June 2004 the press reported that in Novosibirsk 4 policemen were arrested on suspicion of extorting over $1 million (28 million rubles) from a Romani family by kidnapping and torturing family members until their demands were met. The policemen were reportedly later tried and convicted."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Roma, persons from the Caucasus and Central Asia, and dark skinned persons and foreigners faced widespread governmental and societal discrimination ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46144],  [ID 11310]

"The law prohibits discrimination based on nationality; however, Roma, persons from the Caucasus and Central Asia, and dark skinned persons and foreigners faced widespread governmental and societal discrimination, which was often reflected in official attitudes and actions (see section 1.c.). Skinhead groups and other extreme nationalist organizations fomented racially motivated violence. Muslims and Jews continued to encounter prejudice and societal discrimination, although it was often difficult to separate religious from ethnic motivations (see section 2.c). Human rights observers noted that racist propaganda and racially motivated violence are punishable by law, but despite some increases in law enforcement efforts, the law was employed infrequently. However, the authorities demonstrated an increased awareness of the problem. For example, on September 27, President Putin stated: "We will step up the law enforcement agencies' work in this area and will do all we can to make sure that skinheads and fascist-minded groups are no longer a part of this country's political landscape."

Federal and local measures to combat crime continued to be applied disproportionately to persons appearing to be from the Caucasus and Central Asia. Police reportedly beat, harassed, and demanded bribes from persons with dark skin, or who appeared to be from the Caucasus, Central Asia, or Africa. Ethnic Azerbaijani vendors alleged that police frequently used violence against them during document checks at markets in St. Petersburg.

Authorities in Moscow subjected dark-skinned persons to far more frequent document checks than others and frequently detained them or fined them in amounts that exceeded legally permissible penalties. Police often failed to record infractions against minorities or to issue a written record to the alleged perpetrators. Law enforcement authorities also targeted such persons for deportation from urban centers. In March the Institute for War and Peace Reporting noted that police arrested illegal migrant workers from Central Asia and illegally took their money and then took the workers to the outskirts of Moscow instead of deporting them. This practice reportedly allowed the police to pocket the cost of the deportation and leave the workers in Moscow for future arrests."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Numerous racially motivated attacks against members of minority groups and foreigners, particularly Asians and Africans ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46144],  [ID 11311]

"During the year numerous racially motivated attacks took place against members of minority groups and foreigners, particularly Asians and Africans. In some cases, observers believed the attacks were racially motivated. According to MVD statistics, 11,100 crimes were committed against foreign citizens and persons without citizenship from January to October.

For example it was reported that on July 9, about a dozen skinheads beat a Vietnamese man to death in a Moscow park. On September 14, a Congolese student was killed in St. Petersburg. A year ago the same student was attacked and hospitalized, at which time he gave evidence that the attack was racially motivated. On October 9, in Voronezh, a Peruvian student was killed and two other students, from Spain and Peru, were badly injured when a group of youths attacked them. There had been several previous attacks on attacks on foreigners in Voronezh. Later in October, the authorities charged a Russian student with murder and another 13 youths with lesser crimes for participating in the attack.

Not all of the attacks against foreigners were fatal. On February 11, two Korean students were attacked and hospitalized in St. Petersburg. On March 14, four skinheads attacked an African student of a pedagogical university in Lipetsk. On March 26, a Chinese student was attacked during daylight on a major city street in St. Petersburg. According to the MVD, 557 crimes against foreigners were registered in St. Petersburg during the first seven months of the year. The city administration appeared to have begun to take hate crimes more seriously, but law enforcement agencies did not do enough to address the issue, in part because they lacked the necessary resources and, in some cases, because some working-level staff sympathized with the nationalistic causes."

Document(s): Open document

14.12.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

6 members of radical youth group convicted of inciting racial and interethnic hatred; sentenced to prison terms of up to 3 years ("Members Of Russian Skinhead Group Jailed") [#40538],  [ID 11312]

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Governmental and societal discrimination and harassment of ethnic minorities ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41473],  [ID 11313]

"Ethnic minorities, particularly those who appear to be from the Caucasus or Central Asia, are subject to governmental and societal discrimination and harassment. Racially motivated attacks by skinheads and other extremist groups occur occasionally. Fringe anti-Semitic and racist parties organize small public rallies, and periodicals with racist and anti-Semitic content are published but attract a small readership."

Document(s): Open document

15.06.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Continued development of extremist groups and the number of racially motivated attacks ("Nations in Transit 2005") [#32939],  [ID 11314]

"With the rising number of terrorist attacks, Russia has witnessed an increase in skinheads targeting dark-skinned foreigners. On February 9, a group of young men killed a nine-year-old Tajik girl walking home with her family in St. Petersburg. In the same city in June, neo-Nazis shot and killed ethnographer Nikolai Girenko, an expert on the country's extremists, founder of the Group for the Rights of Ethnic Minorities, and an adviser in 15 Russian ethnic hate-crime trials who worked hard to jail violent extremists, reported Time Europe.
Racially motivated attacks increased after the Beslan hostage crisis. Between 20 and 30 victims die each year from such assaults, which are increasing at an annual rate of 30 percent, according to a report by the Moscow Bureau on Human Rights, a branch of the Washington-based Union of Councils for Jews in the Former Soviet Union. There are an estimated 50 neo-Nazi groups in Russia, and the number of skinheads rose from 30,000 to 50,000 in the last two years, claimed Alexander Tarasov of the Moscow-based Feniks think tank. Tarasov noted that many new skinhead incidents are being reported from cities across Russia."

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2005 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

According to NGOs, the internal passport system is repressive and restrictive; most frequent victims are migrants and ethnic minorities ("Honouring of obligations and commitments by the Russian Federation [Doc. 10568]") [#32710],  [ID 11315]

"341. According to NGOs, the internal passport system in Russia is repressive and restrictive and the most frequent victims of this system are migrants and ethnic minorities. Administration officials, especially in housing and immigration departments, abuse the decision making power given to them by the internal passport system to discriminate against members of certain targeted minorities. According to Aleksandr Osipov, an expert on ethnic relations from the Moscow-based Memorial, "the most massive and painful problems of the country are related to the so-called "passport system". It is a classical example of institutional racism, with elements of organised direct discrimination by the state"189.

342. A Russian citizen holding no passport is impaired in his rights to a degree amounting to an interference with his private life. The law requires that a person who wishes to find employment, receive free medical care, receive mail, marry, vote, use notaries' services, install a telephone line, save money by buying foreign currency or travel by train or aeroplane must be able to produce an internal passport. Furthermore, not having a passport is in itself an administrative offence190.

343. In the case of Smirnova v. Russia, the European Court held on 24 July 2003 that the failure of the Russian authorities to return the internal passport to the applicant after her release from remand custody was a violation of Article 8 of the Convention. The Court found it established that in their everyday life Russian citizens have to prove their identity unusually often, even when performing such mundane tasks as exchanging currency or buying train tickets. The internal passport is also required for more crucial needs, for example, finding employment or receiving medical care. The deprivation of the passport therefore represented a continuing interference with the applicant's private life which in this case had no legal basis in domestic law."

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2005 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

Widespread abuses of national minorities’ rights and a high level of intolerance in society ("Honouring of obligations and commitments by the Russian Federation [Doc. 10568]") [#32710],  [ID 11316]

"425. Along with the irregularities in the legal framework, human rights NGOs also report frequent abuses of national minorities' rights by law enforcement bodies and a high level of intolerance in society. Racial profiling by police is frequent - common targets include Roma and those from the Caucasus. Discrimination on grounds of race and ethnicity is widespread in many areas of life, including access to education, health services, and public accommodations as well as to local residence registration, identity cards and their benefits, and citizenship. We are concerned by the high incidence of violent attacks against ethnic and religious minorities, foreigners, in particular committed by skinheads and neo-Nazis."

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2005 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

Increased attacks on Chechens and other North Caucasians after the Beslan events; the racist attitudes deeply entrenched throughout the country ("Honouring of obligations and commitments by the Russian Federation [Doc. 10568]") [#32710],  [ID 11317]

"426. Following the events in Beslan, there have also been reports of increased attacks on Chechens and other North Caucasians by "skinheads" and members of other extremist groups. There have been repeated attacks by "skinheads" against people originating from the Caucasus on the Moscow subway. Caucasian owned cafés have been burned down in Moscow and Yekaterinburg; one of the café's owners was killed. A woman wearing a veil was attacked in Vladivostok by someone shouting, "this is for Beslan". On 26 October 2004, in Moscow a group of youngsters attacked (robbed, stabbed, and beat) two people of Caucasus origin who were hospitalised. On 14 October 2004, during 24 hours Russia (in Moscow region, Chita, St.Petersburg) witnessed a series of attacks on foreigners with three persons (Uzbeki, Chinese, Vietnamese) being killed and one wounded. The Head of Chief Criminal Investigation Department Vladimir Gordienko said that Russian citizens are more often becoming victims of foreigners and that ethnic origin doesn't matter for those who attack non-Russians. Most of theses attacks are not properly investigated by law enforcement bodies.

427. Unfortunately, the label "person of Caucasian nationality" referring to a range of people such as Chechens, Ingushetians, Ossetians, Dagestanis, Georgians, Azeris, etc. is still applied. Apart from "persons of Caucasian nationality" and "Gypsies", Jews, Tajiks and some other people of Central Asian origin are also the target of racist attitudes and actions. While most areas in the Russian Federation have a local pattern of negative stereotyping targeting one group or another and these patterns change over time, the above-listed groups have been disadvantaged throughout the country, and racist attitudes towards them are lasting and deeply entrenched. This worrying phenomenon is also reported by the CE Human Rights Commissioner in his recent report on Russia who refers to a "sense of suspicion, if not outright hatred or contempt, for people originating from the Caucasus"."

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2005 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

“Everyday xenophobia” could be encouraged by the officials’ statements ("Honouring of obligations and commitments by the Russian Federation [Doc. 10568]") [#32710],  [ID 11318]

"428. The Presidential Human Rights Commission Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova said that "tolerance" among the federal authorities had never been better, but that the situation with "everyday xenophobia" is "very bad." "It is a problem of an irresponsible society, in which there is not an aversion to such occurrences," she said. "Everyday extremism is widespread, particularly on the level of minor state officials." Pamfilova called on law-enforcement officials – and, above all, prosecutors – to take a tougher and more "fundamental" approach to the issue of extremism.

429. Lyudmila Alexeyeva, chairwoman of the Moscow Helsinki Group, put forward the opposite view: extremism, she said, is on the rise not because of "some sort of terrible xenophobia" among ordinary Russians, but because it is "encouraged and reinforced from the top, if not from the direction of the president, then as a result of irresponsible statements by many officials on the nationality issue." Alexeyeva cited as an example Krasnodar Governor Alexander Tkachev, who earlier this year promised to drive "aliens and dissenters" out of his region (New Moscow Times, September 2004)."

Document(s): Open document

19.05.2005 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Harassment of People with “Caucasian” Appearance ("Human Rights in the OSCE Region: Europe, Central Asia and North America, Report 2005 (Events 2004)") [#32117],  [ID 11320]

"In the wake of various terrorist attacks during the year (see below), police in Moscow and many other Russian cities carried out “reprisal actions” against ethnic Chechens and members of other groups from the North Caucasus region. In a pattern of violations similar to that perpetrated by law enforcement officials and troops inside of Chechnya, these actions included arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and torture and extortion."

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Racist violence is dramatically increasing ("Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world E/CN.4/2005/NGO/163") [#30348],  [ID 11321]

"Daily racism against foreigners and attacks and murders committed by violent nationalist groups and skinheads are highly preoccupying concerns. Indeed racist violence is dramatically increasing in Russia. On October 13, 2004, in the neighbourhood of Moscow two Uzbek citizens were attacked. One person died, and the other was hospitalised. The following day a Vietnamese student of the Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic Institute was murdered, and in Chita-city a Chinese citizen was murdered. The full list of racist crimes is very long."

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Roma, persons from the Caucasus and Central Asia, and dark skinned persons faced widespread governmental and societal discrimination, which often was reflected in official attitudes and actions ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29515],  [ID 11322]

"The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on nationality; however, Roma, persons from the Caucasus and Central Asia, and dark skinned persons faced widespread governmental and societal discrimination, which often was reflected in official attitudes and actions (see Section 1.c.). Racially motivated violence increased. Muslims and Jews continued to encounter prejudice and societal discrimination; it was often difficult to separate religious from ethnic motivations (See Section 2.c). Human rights observers noted that considerable legislation prohibits racist propaganda and racially motivated violence but complained that it was invoked infrequently."

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Societal hostility on ethnic and racial grounds violence and societal prejudice against ethnic and national minorities, as well as against foreigners, increased ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29515],  [ID 11323]

"There was also evidence of societal hostility on ethnic and racial grounds. Despite appeals for tolerance during the year by President Putin and other senior officials, violence and societal prejudice against ethnic and national minorities, as well as against foreigners, increased. During the year there were numerous racially motivated attacks on members of minority groups and foreigners, particularly Asians and Africans. The approximately 1,000 African students in Moscow were routinely subjected to assaults and abuse. An informal 2002 survey of Africans, mostly students and refugees, indicated that nearly two thirds reported having been physically attacked in Moscow because of their race. Fifty four percent were verbally insulted by the police because of their race. The 180 students questioned reported experiencing 204 attacks, 160 of them reported to the police, resulting in 2 convictions.

Attacks were generally carried out by private individuals or small groups inspired by racial hatred. Law enforcement authorities knew the identity of some of the attackers based on their racial intolerance or criminal records. During the year, members of ethnic or racial minorities were the victims of beatings, extortion, and harassment by skinheads and members of other racist and extremist groups. For example, the press reported that on September 20 a group of up to 50 young persons beat and stabbed 4 individuals from the Caucasus region on the Moscow subway. Police rarely made arrests in such cases, although many such incidents were reported by human rights organizations. Many victims, particularly migrants and asylum seekers who lacked residence documents recognized by the police, chose not to report such attacks or experienced indifference on the part of police.
[...]
Most authorities appeared unwilling to acknowledge the racial motivation behind antisocial brutality. For example, in St. Petersburg, where observers noted an increase in ethnic hostility, law enforcement officials often characterized perpetrators of hate crimes as spontaneous "hooligans," denying the existence of organized skinhead groups there. The City Administration and law enforcement agencies did not do enough to address the issue because of lack of resources and, in some cases, sympathy with nationalistic causes among working level staff. According to press reports, between January and July, four killings, six physical attacks, and three acts of vandalism in St. Petersburg appeared to have been motivated by ethnic hatred. In all cases the attackers were wearing skinhead attire or proclaimed nationalist slogans."

Document(s): Open document

19.03.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Report highlighting patterns of racial discrimination and their effect on the everyday lives of the women, men and children who are denied their full human rights because of their colour, race, ethnicity, descent or national origin ("Discrimination on grounds of race in the Russian Federation") [#11510],  [ID 11327]

"Discrimination on grounds of race is a reality for many members of ethnic or national minority groups in the Russian Federation. Victims whose cases have come to the attention of Amnesty International are predominantly students, asylum-seekers and refugees from Africa, but also include citizens of the Russian Federation (including ethnic Chechens and Jews), as well as people from the south Caucasus, from South, Southeast and Central Asia, from the Middle East and from Latin America. Amnesty International’s research shows how legislation governing registration and citizenship requirements is often applied in a discriminatory way by agents of the state.
[...]
In some cases, particular groups are targeted disproportionately by police for checks of their identity documents, often leading to arbitrary detention or ill-treatment (see chapter 6). Asylumseekers and refugees suffer the additional difficulty that their documentation is not recognized by the police (see chapter 8). In some regions the legislation in practice denies whole communities their right to a range of econo