Source:

Trafficking in persons ("Link: Security - Criminality - Trafficking in persons") [ID 18317]

"For information on trafficking in persons please refer to Chapter "Security - Criminality - Trafficking in persons"."

Document(s): Link: Security - Criminality - Trafficking in persons

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Domestic violence remained a major problem and law enforcement authorities frequently failed to respond to incidents of domestic violence ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22628]

"Domestic violence remained a major problem. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that during the year approximately 14,000 women were killed by their husbands, boyfriends, or other family members. The ministry also estimated that more than 2,700 men were killed by their wives or girlfriends whom they had beaten. Law enforcement authorities frequently failed to respond to incidents of domestic violence. Amnesty International estimated that approximately 36,000 women were beaten by a husband or partner every day. There were no official statistics on domestic violence, but officials estimate that there were more than 250,000 violent crimes committed against women every year. Because violence is frequently not reported, the real figures are impossible to ascertain. (…)

The law does not prohibit sexual harassment, which remained a widespread problem. NGOs operating hot lines reported that women routinely sought advice on the problem. The lack of legal remedies and limited economic opportunities caused many women to tolerate harassment."

Document(s): Open document

19.09.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

According to independent research, around 40 per cent of Russian women who live in relationship with man have been physically assaulted by him; there is no comprehensive plan of action to tackle domestic violence, and independent women’s crisis centres struggle to have their voices heard ("Human rights concerns [EUR 46/040/2007]") [ID 21392]

"Although there are no reliable statistics available about the number of women killed in Russia as a result of domestic violence, the Ministry of Interior in 2003 published the figure of 9,000 women killed per year. A different figure given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1999 was that of 14,000 women per year killed by their husbands, partners or former partners. Independent research has shown that probably around 40 per cent of Russian women who live in a relationship with a man have been physically assaulted by him. Despite these figures there is no comprehensive plan of action to tackle domestic violence, there is no dedicated legislation dealing with the issue and very few shelters exists for victims of such violence (according to women’s NGOs, there is approximately one place in a shelter for every nine million women). Moreover there is only one state sponsored telephone hotline for victims of domestic violence which operates 24 hours a day (in Barnaul, Altai Region). The problem is not seen as a priority by the state. Amnesty International has noted over the last five years that while the state appears not to have undertaken steps to improve the situation of those who find themselves in a situation of domestic violence, independent women’s crisis centres appear to be even more marginalized and struggle to have their voices heard by the authorities when raising the problem of domestic violence."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Domestic violence continues to be serious problem; police often reluctant to intervene; credible evidence that women face considerable discrimination in the workplace ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20519]

"Domestic violence continues to be a serious problem, and police are often reluctant to intervene in what they regard as internal family matters. Economic hardships contribute to widespread trafficking of women abroad for prostitution. Forced labor among male migrant workers is also a problem. There is credible evidence that women face considerable discrimination in the workplace, including lower pay than their male counterparts for performing similar work."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Government support for crisis centres and hotlines was totally inadequate; one of the few government-supported shelters for women in Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia, was closed ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 19972]

"No measures under Russian law specifically addressed violence against women in the family, and government support for crisis centres and hotlines was totally inadequate. In November the UN Committee against Torture expressed concern about the reports of prevalent domestic violence and the lack of sufficient shelters for women. The Committee recommended the Russian authorities should ensure protection of women by adopting specific legislative and other measures to address domestic violence, providing for protection of victims, access to medical, social and legal services and temporary accommodation and for perpetrators to be held accountable.

• One of the few government-supported shelters for women in the Russian Federation, in Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia, was closed."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Domestic violence, including spousal abuse, remained a major problem, and law enforcement authorities frequently failed to respond ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20134]

"Domestic violence, including spousal abuse, remained a major problem, and law enforcement authorities frequently failed to respond to incidents of domestic violence.There are no official statistics on domestic violence in the country. Nevertheless, an Amnesty International report estimated that approximately 36,000 women were beaten by a husband or partner every day. Official estimates indicated that, on average, more than 250,000 violent crimes were committed against women annually; however, because such crimes were usually not reported, the real figures were likely to be higher. According to official data, 9,000 women were killed as a result of family and domestic crimes in 2003. These crimes constituted 32 percent of the total murders in the country. A news report stated that each year 14,000 women are killed by their husbands.

There is no legal definition of domestic violence. While the law prohibits battery, assault, threats, and murder, those of its provisions most commonly applied to cases of domestic violence (such as light injury) are not within the jurisdiction of the prosecutor's office. ViVictims of crimes resulting in light injury are required to prosecute such cases without state assistance, and their complaints must satisfy certain legal requirements, which victims without legal knowledge have difficulty meeting. As a result few cases were prosecuted and there were few convictions. According to a survey of discrimination against women conducted during the year, police frequently discouraged victims from submitting complaints. Even when victims submitted applications, the majority of domestic violence cases were not adjudicated by the courts due to dismissal based on technical errors in the application or the fact that justices of the peace focus on reconciliation of the couple and preservation of the family, rather than punishment of the perpetrator. There are minimal remedies for domestic violence in the civil law; the most common were administrative fines and divorce.

In 2005 22 crisis centers for women operated as part of a broader structure of social protection institutions. Crisis services are not focused exclusively on violence against women, although some do offer services to domestic violence victims. NGOs operated centers for victims of domestic violence throughout most of the country;however, there are reportedly few domestic violence shelters. An informal informational network affiliated with the NGO National Center for Prevention of Violence "Anna," received 85,000 complaints of domestic violence in 2004. In 2005 "Anna" reported that 22 of the 170 organizations in its network closed, primarily due to lack of financing.

Under the law rape is illegal, but in practice it is a problem. In 2004 8,795 rapes were registered, and in the first half of the year, 5,007 rapes were registered. From January to October, 7,567 rapes and attempted rapes were reported. However, according to NGOs, many victims never reported rape due to social stigma and lack of government support. Rape victims can act as full legal parties to criminal cases brought against alleged assailants and can seek legal compensation as part of the verdict without seeking a separate civil action. Although some crisis centers may provide support to rape victims, anecdotal information suggested that women were discouraged from reporting rape cases by crisis center psychologists, who considered the investigation and prosecution process traumatizing; such advice did not reflect official policy. Members of the medical profession, including at hospitals and elsewhere, assisted women who were assaulted. However, to avoid spending long periods in court, some doctors were reluctant to ascertain the details of a sexual assault or collect physical evidence.

Spousal or acquaintance rape was not widely perceived as a problem by society or law enforcement; studies suggested that up to half of women and more men think that women cannot refuse sex in marriage. The criminal code makes no distinction based on the relationship between the rapist and victim.Women were unlikely to report cases of rape by persons they know. Law enforcement and prosecutors held many of the same notions and allegedly did not encourage reporting or prosecution of such cases. "

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

About 70 per cent of married women subjected to some form of violence from husbands; 23 state-run crisis centres for women, but government-support declining, according to NGOs ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 15384]

"According to the Russian governmental newspaper Rossiiskaia Gazeta up to 80 per cent of all violent crimes in Russia were committed in the private sphere. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) remained concerned that women were the main victims of such violence. While no official statistics were available, independent research showed that about 70 per cent of married women had been subjected to some form of violence from their husbands. There were no measures under Russian law which specifically addressed violence against women in the family. The Ministry for Health and Social Development stated that there were 23 state-run crisis centres for women in the Russian Federation. However, women’s human rights organizations were concerned that government support for crisis centres and hotlines was on the decline. According to these organizations, there was only one shelter place for every 9 million women in Russia."

Document(s): Open document

14.12.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Report on violence against women in the family (background, human rights, scale of problem, "justification" of violence against women in family, obstacles to justice, protection mechanisms) ("Nowhere to turn to - Violence against women in the family") [#40605], [ID 11608]

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Domestic violence, trafficking of women and discrimination at the workplace remain a problem ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41473], [ID 11609]

"Domestic violence remains a serious problem, while police are often reluctant to intervene in what they regard as internal family matters. Economic hardships contribute to widespread trafficking of women abroad for prostitution. There is credible evidence that women face considerable discrimination in the workplace, including lower pay than their male counterparts for performing similar work."

Document(s): Open document

15.07.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report focused on discrimination against HIV- positive mothers and their children ("Positively Abandoned: Stigma and Discrimination against HIV-Positive Mothers and their Children in Russia") [#34321], [ID 11610]

Document(s): Open document
Pressemitteilung zum Bericht

15.07.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Human Rights Watch report denounces discrimination and abuse of HIV-positive pregnant women, mothers and their children ("Russia: Report Denounces Discrimination Against Mothers and Children With HIV") [#34068], [ID 11611]

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2005 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

Violence against women persists; discrimnation still low on the State agenda ("Honouring of obligations and commitments by the Russian Federation [Doc. 10568]") [#32710], [ID 11612]

"293. In December 2004, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights made her statement on the results of her visit to Russia167. While welcoming the recent ratification by Russia of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Special Rapporteur noted that violence, particularly in the home, continues to cause injuries and claim the lives of thousands of women annually. Due to the registration system (propiska) and the lack of financial means, many women are compelled to share the same housing with a violent partner, even after an official divorce. The situation is further aggravated by the lack of sufficient shelters. Violence against women and sex discrimination are still low on the State agenda. Draft domestic violence bills, presented to the State Duma in 1996 and 1999, were not adopted.A The Women's Commission, responsible for mainstreaming a gender perspective into State policies and programmes, was abolished in 2004. Currently, a department within the Ministry of Health and Social Development is the only national machinery in place to address gender based discrimination168.

294. We, therefore, call on the Russian authorities to address the concerns raised in the reports and approve specific legislation on domestic violence. We would also strongly recommend that the Russian authorities take account of the recommendations expressed in this regard by the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner in his April 2005 report on Russia (paragraphs 482-488)."

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2005 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

Trafficking a growing problem, correlations with the bad socioeconomic situation ("Honouring of obligations and commitments by the Russian Federation [Doc. 10568]") [#32710], [ID 11613]

"239. The law prohibits trafficking in persons; however, trafficking in women and children is a growing problem. There are today no reliable estimates of its scope, but observers believed that trafficking, both national and international, was widespread. Corruption of government officials is allegedly facilitating trafficking. We were told that the trafficking in women holds the second place in the Federation by the scale of the problem in the Sverdlovsk Oblast, where a number of "dating" agencies operate in the absence of any state control.

240. Reports indicate that the rise in trafficking is correlated with the bad socioeconomic situation that affects most of the Russian population. Most single parent families are headed by women, who are now both more dependent on earned income for family support and less likely to find employment than during the Soviet welfare state. According to the Ministry of Labour, 70% of the registered unemployed were women. Law enforcement agencies reported that at least half of trafficked women were unemployed. NGOs reported that many women are desperate to find a better level of support. Children also are at a greater risk of trafficking."

Document(s): Open document

02.06.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Dagestan: Article focused on legal situation of women who enter into polygamous marriages ("No Rights for Sharia Wives") [#32593], [ID 11614]

Document(s): Open document

14.08.2003 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

North Ossetia: prostitution, not a criminal offence and punishable only by a fine or a small detention period, has gone up exponentially ("North Ossetia’s Secret Sin") [#15671], [ID 11616]

Document(s): Open document

04.2003 - Source: Moscow Helsinki Group

Discrimination against women in contemporary Russia (access to education, public service and employment, social security, domestic violence) ("Discrimination against women in contemporary Russia") [#15155], [ID 11617]

Document(s): Open document