28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Number of reported enforced disappearances and abductions decreased in 2007; torture and ill-treatment remained widespread ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23506]

"In Chechnya the number of reported enforced disappearances and abductions decreased, compared with previous years, although cases continued to be reported.

Torture and ill-treatment by Chechen law enforcement officials was reported, including in illegal and secret places of detention.

During his visit to Chechnya in March, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the CoE stated that he had "the impression that torture and ill-treatment are widespread" and added that perpetrators of torture had a feeling of "utter impunity".

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) issued its third public statement on Chechnya in March, naming six police detention facilities where detainees were at a high risk of torture."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

In Chechnya there continued to be reports of torture by government forces; according to report by Human Rights Watch, most incidents occurred at unlawful detention centers ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22609]

"Armed forces and police units were reported to have routinely abused and tortured persons in holding facilities where federal authorities sorted out fighters or those suspected of aiding rebels from civilians.

In Chechnya there continued to be reports of torture by government forces. On March 13, the Council of Europe's Committee for Prevention of Torture published a statement about cruel treatment and torture in Chechnya, based on visits to the region in 2006 and the Russian government's comments. The committee noted Russia's inability to effectively combat torture in Chechnya. In March European Council Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hummarberg visited Chechnya and stated that torture and cruel treatment were widespread in Chechnya, and that those who used torture acted with total impunity. On March 14, Amnesty International accused the Russian government of negligence with regard to violations in Chechnya and called on it to take immediate steps to eradicate torture, cruel treatment, arbitrary detentions, and disappearances, and to prosecute those who committed such crimes.

In 2006 Human Rights Watch reported that it had documented 115 torture cases in Chechnya between July 2004 and September 2006. The report concluded that most of the incidents occurred at one of at least 10 unlawful detention centers. In 2006 Memorial representatives discovered an illegal detention center in Groznyy where detainees were reportedly held, tortured, "disappeared," and killed by federal police units that had temporarily been assigned to Chechnya. Despite appeals to officials to investigate Memorial's allegations, the building --a former boarding school for deaf children--was demolished. (…)"

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: Minority Rights Group International

According to 2006 report by HRW, Moscow-backed Chechen government and federal forces were employing widespread and systematic use of torture; Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights echoed those findings on visit to Chechnya in March 2007 ("State of the World's Minorities 2008") [ID 22887]

"Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a report in November 2006 based on extensive interviews in Chechnya, finding that the Moscow-backed Chechen government and federal forces were employing the widespread and systematic use of torture, with no accountability for the perpetrators. The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, echoed those findings on a visit to Chechnya in March 2007, noting that every single prisoner he had spoken with had complained of abuse. In a landmark case in July 2007, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the Russian government was responsible for the ‘disappearance’ and death of a young Chechen man, Khadzhi-Murat Yandiev, in 2000. It was the eleventh ECHR ruling against Russia for disappearances, deaths and disproportionate use of force stemming from the Chechen conflict; 200 similar cases were still pending. Moscow has not complied with the rulings. In June 2007, however, there was a rare conviction of four Russian soldiers in a domestic court for the killing of Chechen civilians in 2002."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Continuing counterinsurgency operations by "kadyrovtsy", who torture those suspected of ties to rebels and hold them in unlawful detention ("World Report 2008") [ID 22469]

"Russian federal and Chechen officials have claimed that the conflict in Chechnya is “solved,” though sporadic armed clashes and counterinsurgency operations continue. These are carried out chiefly by forces under Kadyrov’s command, known as “kadyrovtsy,” who torture those suspected of ties to rebels and hold them in unlawful detention, including in secret detention centers."

Document(s): Open document

24.05.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Cases of illegal detention and abuse of human rights still frequent in Chechnya; according to human rights activists cases of torture they have to deal with are increasing ("Chechens Suffer Torture “Hell”") [ID 20712]

"Although armed conflict has died down in Chechnya, cases of illegal detention and abuse of human rights are still frequent. When it comes to torture, human rights activists say they are noting an actual increase in the number of cases they have to deal with.
 “Any kind of torture is forbidden, whether the person is guilty or innocent, but in the Chechen Republic we are coming across cases of inhuman treatment of detainees more and more,” said Supyan Baskhanov, head of the non-governmental organisation, the Committee against Torture in Chechnya. Baskhanov said that every other person put on trial in Chechnya rejects the confessions he or she made in detention, because they were made under torture.
“One of the main problems directly linked to levels of torture is a statistical demand [for the law enforcement agencies] to solve as many crimes as possible at any price,” said Baskhanov. Usam Baisayev of the human rights organisation Memorial echoed this. “The situation is like the 1930s in the USSR when the number of detentions soared,” he said. “It seems the same kind of ‘quota’ is being applied now.” At the same time, Chechnya is full of traumatised people who have suffered torture but are wary of seeking assistance."

Document(s): Open document

13.04.2007 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Three documented cases of torture, ill-treatment and fabricated criminal charges related to ongoing “counter-terrorism” campaign in Chechnya ("Three Torture Cases in the Chechen Republic") [ID 20716]

"The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) today sent three open letters to law enforcement authorities in the Russian Federation regarding cases of torture, ill-treatment and fabricated criminal charges related to the ongoing “counter-terrorism” campaign in Chechnya.

The first letter concerns Malika Soltayeva, a young Chechen woman who in March 2006 was subjected to abuse, beatings and humiliating treatment by officials from the local Anti-Terrorism Center in the Chechen city of Argun for allegedly having had an affair with a Russian militiaman. The perpetrators recorded the treatment she suffered with their mobile phones, and this recording subsequently appeared on the Internet. Since Ms. Soltayeva took the step of seeking justice within the Russian legal system, she and her relatives have been subjected to pressure and threats by law enforcement officials attempting to force her to withdraw the case. (...)

The second letter deals with the case of Ramzan Khasiyev, who was tortured by members of the Urus-Martan unit of the federal ORB-2, a body subordinate to the Russian Interior Ministry, in February 2007. While the Chechen prosecutor's office has opened a criminal investigation into the allegations of torture against Khasiyev, no real progress has been made so far, although some of the alleged perpetrators are known by name. The third letter concerns the case of Ali Techiyev, who was tortured by members of the Grozny unit of the ORB-2 in November 2005 and subsequently faced apparently fabricated criminal charges. An investigation into this case was only opened in October 2006, and information available to the IHF suggests that the relevant authorities are intentionally delaying the progress of the investigation in an attempt to help the perpetrators escape accountability. "

Document(s): Open document

13.03.2007 - Source: Council of Europe - European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Torture, other forms of ill-treatment and unlawful detentions by members of law enforcement agencies and security forces continue; investigation rarely carried out in effective manner; Russian authorities refuse to cooperate with CPT on core issues ("Public statement concerning the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation [CPT/Inf (2007) 17]") [ID 19462]

"However, the CPT remains deeply concerned by the situation in key areas covered by its mandate. Resort to torture and other forms of ill-treatment by members of law enforcement agencies and security forces continues, as does the related practice of unlawful detentions. Further, from the information gathered, it is clear that investigations into cases involving allegations of ill-treatment or unlawful detention are still rarely carried out in an effective manner; this can only contribute to a climate of impunity.

After each of the visits in 2006, the CPT’s delegation immediately made detailed written observations. The reactions of the Federal authorities were not commensurate with the gravity of the Committee’s findings, and the same is true of the comments which they have recently made in response to the report on the two visits adopted in November 2006. Although displaying an open attitude on subsidiary matters related to conditions of detention, the Russian authorities consistently refuse to engage in a meaningful manner with the CPT on core issues. This can only be qualified as a failure to cooperate."

Document(s): Open document

13.03.2007 - Source: Council of Europe - European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

CPT’s delegation received many credible allegations of recent ill-treatment of detained persons by members of law enforcement agencies and security forces ("Public statement concerning the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation [CPT/Inf (2007) 17]") [ID 20717]

For more detailed information please see the report

"In the course of the visits to the North Caucasian region in 2006, the CPT’s delegation once again received many credible allegations of recent ill-treatment of detained persons by members of law enforcement agencies and security forces in the Chechen Republic. The ill-treatment alleged was frequently of such a severity that it could be considered to amount to torture; the methods involved included extensive beating, asphyxiation using a plastic bag or gas mask, electric shocks, suspension by the limbs, hyperextension and, more rarely, the infliction of burns by cigarettes, lighters or other devices. Accounts were also received of threats of execution or of sexual abuse in order to obtain a confession or information.The general picture which emerged was that any detained person who did not promptly confess to the crime of which he was suspected (or provide information being sought by those responsible for the detention) would be in imminent danger of being ill-treated."

Document(s): Open document

18.01.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

ECHR ruled that brothers Adam and Arbi Chitayev were tortured by Russian military when they were held in custody in 2000; each was awarded 35,000 euros in compensation ("European Court Rules Chechen Brothers Tortured") [ID 18315]

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Relatives of rebels and persons who are suspected of supporting rebels often become victims of systematic torture; they are often forced to give information or confess to fabricated charges; perpetrators are mostly forces of the Chechen Ministry of Interior ("Nordkaukasus; Entwicklungen in Tschetschenien sowie in Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkarien, Inguschetien und Nordossetien") [ID 18684]

"In ihrem jüngsten Briefing-Paper zu Tschetschenien macht die US-amerikanische Organisation Human Rights Watch zudem auf die systematischen Folterungen in den Gefängnissen in Tschetschenien aufmerksam. Opfer sind häufig Angehörige von Aufständischen und Personen, die verdächtigt werden, die Rebellen zu unterstützen. Dabei bleiben auch Frauen und Minderjährige nicht verschont. Sie werden mit Stiefeln, Stöcken, Plastikflaschen (mit Wasser oder Sand gefüllt) oder mit schweren Kabeln geschlagen. Es werden ihnen mit offenem Feuer, mit glühenden Metallstäben und Drähten Brandwunden zugefügt und sie werden mit Elektroschocks gequält. Ausserdem wenden die Folterer psychologischen Druck an, indem sie eine Exekution oder eine Vergewaltigung vortäuschen und mit Gewalt an Angehörigen drohen. Meist geht es den Tätern darum, ihren Opfern Informationen zu entlocken und/oder sie zu fabrizierten Geständnissen zu zwingen. In den meisten Fällen sind die Truppen des tschetschenischen Innenministeriums die Urheber."

Document(s): Open document

13.11.2006 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report on illegal arrest and torture of 2 brothers in ORB-2 in March 2006 ("Chechnya: Research Shows Widespread and Systematic Use of Torture") [ID 17626]

Document(s): Press release
Briefing paper

13.11.2006 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Kadyrovcy hold and torture detainees in unlawful places of detention; report on torture of “Magomed M.” and 4 of his fellow villagers, and on illegal detention and torture of Khamid Kh. ("Chechnya: Research Shows Widespread and Systematic Use of Torture") [ID 17627]

"Kadyrov’s units hold and torture detainees in premises that are not lawful places of detention. The detention has no legal framework, and detainees cannot exercise their rights guaranteed by Russian and international law, including access to lawyers or medical professionals. In the vast majority of cases, the family has no information of the detainee’s whereabouts, unless they manage to obtain it through personal contacts with Kadyrov’s forces. (...) In some cases Kadyrov’s forces use short-term, unlawful detention and torture to obtain information that could be useful in their counterterrorism operations against Chechen rebels. In others, torture is used to punish or intimidate families whose relative has joined the rebel movement (even if the relative had been killed, arrested, or surrendered to the authorities), people who sought justice for abuses by Kadyrov’s forces, and individuals suspected of collaborating with Chechen rebels."

Document(s): Press release
Briefing paper

13.10.2006 - Source: Guardian

Critical last work by Anna Politkovskaya accuses pro-Moscow Chechen security forces of torture of suspected rebel fighter; report published in Novaya Gazeta ("Murdered Russian reporter's critical last work published") [ID 17320]

"A Russian newspaper yesterday published the report that journalist Anna Politkovskaya was working on the day before she was assassinated - a report that accuses the pro-Moscow Chechen security forces of torture. Novaya Gazeta devoted a page to the graphic account of a suspected rebel fighter who claimed he was subjected to electric shocks and beaten with rubber batons. The events in the article, headlined We're Appointing You a Terrorist, were described in a letter to Politkovskaya by Beslan Gadayev, a suspected militant who is now in custody in Chechnya."

Document(s): Open document

05.10.2006 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria: Russian government does not allow UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Manfred Nowak to visit region on terms already agreed; IHF fears strong increase of torture in detention sites ("Torture Epidemic in Russian North Caucasus Region Makes UN Access to Detention Sites Essential") [ID 17534]

Document(s): Open document

30.03.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Russia agrees to a visit of U.N. torture investigator to Russia, including Chechnya; previous visit more than 10 years ago ("U.N. torture investigator to visit Russia, Chechnya (Reuters Foundation)") [#48163],  [ID 16019]

Document(s): Open document

27.02.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Mekhti Mukhaev and Isa Gamaev tortured by security forces while imprisoned ("Urgent Action 45/06 [EUR 46/008/2006]") [#45180],  [ID 16020]

"Mechti Muchajew und Issa Gamajew sind Berichten zufolge in der Haft von Angehörigen der Sicherheitskräfte gefoltert worden. Gegen Mechti Muchajew wurde aufgrund einer offenbar konstruierten Anklage ein Gerichtsverfahren eingeleitet, nachdem Issa Gamajew dem Vernehmen nach unter Folter angegeben hat, dass Mechti Muchajew einer bewaffneten Gruppierung angehört. Beide Männer sind in Gefahr, weiter gefoltert oder misshandelt zu werden. Issa Gamajew wurde am 10. Dezember 2005 in der Stadt Naltschik [Nalchik] in der Republik Kabardino-Balkarien im Nordkaukasus im Zusammenhang mit Anschuldigungen festgenommen, am Konflikt im benachbarten Tschetschenien beteiligt zu sein. Der russischen Menschenrechtsorganisation „Memorial“ gegenüber erklärte Issa Gamajew, dass er drei Tage in Naltschik festgehalten wurde, bevor er nach Chankala [Khankala], dem Hauptquartier der russischen Streitkräfte im Nordkaukasus, verlegt wurde, wo er etwa zehn Tage blieb. Danach brachte man ihn in eine weitere Hafteinrichtung. Nach eigenen Angaben wurde Issa Gamajew an allen genannten Orten gefoltert, unter anderem mit Elektroschocks. Unter Folter „gestand“ er Berichten zufolge seine ihm von den Sicherheitskräften zur Last gelegte Mitgliedschaft in bewaffneten Oppositionsgruppen und gab auch an, dass Mechti Muchajew Mitglied einer bewaffneten Gruppierung sei. Ende Dezember 2005 oder Anfang Januar 2006 verlegte man Issa Gamajew in das so genannte „ORB-2“, eine Hafteinrichtung in der tschetschenischen Hauptstadt Grosny [Grozny], die einer Spezialeinheit des Innenministeriums gegen organisierte Kriminalität untersteht, bevor er in das Untersuchungsgefängnis „SIZO 1“ in Grosny gebracht wurde, von wo aus er einen Brief an „Memorial“ übermitteln konnte, in dem er darüber berichtete, wie er während der Haft immer wieder zum Opfer von Folterungen wurde. Mechti Muchajew, ein Witwer und Vater von fünf Kindern aus der Region Itum-Kali in der Republik Tschetschenien, wurde Berichten zufolge am 30. Dezember 2005 festgenommen, als er seinen Cousin im Ort Gikalo nahe Grosny besuchte."

Document(s): Open document

24.02.2006 - Source: BBC News

According to UN Human Rights Commissioner Louise Arbour "climate of fear" caused by "serious shortcomings" in law enforcement, common use of torture to extract confessions and intimidation of those who complain about abuses ("'Climate of fear' in Chechnya") [#45086],  [ID 16021]

Document(s): Open document

01.2006 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Russian government found guilty of torture by European Court of Human Rights; still no access to Chechnya for U.N. special rapporteurs on torture ("World Report 2006") [#42318],  [ID 16022]

"Criticism of Russia’s conduct in Chechnya remains muted. The international community continues to call for a peaceful solution of the conflict without offering a clear vision of how lasting peace could be achieved. In contrast to previous years, in 2005 the European Union failed to table a resolution expressing concern about the Chechnya conflict at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. Russia continues to refuse access to Chechnya to the U.N. special rapporteurs on torture and extrajudicial executions. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe continues to criticize abuses both by Russian troops and their proxies, and by the Chechen rebels. The Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture conducted its seventh visit to the region in December 2004, but the Russian government has not allowed the publication of any of its reports on Chechnya. In February 2005, the European Court of Human Rights found the Russian government guilty of violating the right to life and the prohibition of torture with respect to a number of Chechen civilians who had died in 1999 and 2000 at the hands of Russian troops."

Document(s): Open document

30.09.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Report on human rights violations in Chechnya and Ingushetia (torture, ill-treatment, abduction, arbitrary and incommunicado detention of civilians) ("Torture, "disappearances" and alleged unfair trials in Russia’s North Caucasus") [#37140],  [ID 16023]

Document(s): Open document

19.05.2005 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Torture wide-spread in Chechnya, used in detention centers to make people confess that they are rebels or help rebel fighters ("Impunity: A Leading Force behind Continued Massive Violations in Chechnya") [#32124],  [ID 16024]

"The practice of torture is wide-spread in Chechnya. Local people are routinely brought forcefully to military unit bases, or “disappear” in other illegal places of detention, or they are held in regular detention centers where they are subjected to torture, generally in order to make them confess that they are either rebel fighters or help rebel fighters, or to become informers about other people. Since the start of the second military campaign in Chechnya and until the end of March 2003 there was not a single conviction for torture under article 117 (torture: physical or psychological suffering through a systematic beating or through violent means). There were three convictions for acts that appear to have been “torturous”, but these acts were not recognized as torture. Two of the sentences were suspended prison sentences, and the third was the 11-year-prison term for Sergei Lapin (see details in chapter III)."

Document(s): Open document

24.05.2004 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

According to Russian soldiers torture and ill-treatment of detainees is the rule, not the exception ("Tschetschenien und die tschetschenische Bevölkerung in der Russischen Föderation ") [#23046],  [ID 16025]

"Die britische Medical foundation for the care of victims of torture hat im April 2004 eine Untersuchung über Foltermethoden in Haft in Tschetschenien veröffentlicht. Als Grundlage dienen dieser Studie die Untersuchungen von 35 Asylsuchenden die zwischen 1999 und 2004 in Grossbritannien eingetroffen sind. Zusammenfassend kann gesagt werden, dass in 70 Prozent der Fälle die russischen Sicherheitskräfte die Folter begangen haben. Frauen werden in Haft systematisch vergewaltigt. In der tschetschenischen Kultur wird die Vergewaltigung stigmatisiert. Die Schande einer Vergewaltigung ist so gross, dass es viele Frauen vorziehen, Selbstmord zu begehen. Zu den Foltermethoden gehören Tritte, Schläge von Hand, Schläge mit Gewehren oder Stöcken, Elektroschocks, Brennen mit Zigaretten oder andern Gegenständen, Verletzungen mit Messer oder Bajonett, Aufenthalte in Löchern oder vergasten Zellen. Ausserdem wird berichtet, dass Gefangene angespuckt, anuriniert und ausgepeitscht würden, dass ihnen Drogen zwangsweise verabreicht würden und ihre Exekution vorgetäuscht würde.55 Gespräche einer US-amerikanischen Journalistin mit russischen Soldaten belegen die Feststellungen der Menschenrechtsorganisationen. Die Soldaten geben offen zu, dass die beschriebenen Vergehen nicht Ausnahmen, sondern die Regel sind. Gefangene, bestätigen sie ausserdem, würden praktisch immer getötet, nachdem sie so lange wie möglich gefoltert worden seien. Die Täter rächen sich damit einerseits für eigene Verluste, anderseits erklärt sich ihr Verhalten auch aus der beschriebenen Verwahrlosung und der Angst davor, selbst gefangen genommen und gefoltert zu werden.56"

Document(s): Open document

01.04.2004 - Source: Prima News

Ingushetia, Sunzha region: Security forces torture and humiliate woman in refugee camp in Ordzhonikidzhevskaya ("Crime in a camp for Chechen refugees") [#21028],  [ID 16026]

"The security forces demanded that the woman tell them where they could find her brother in law. According to available information, Khalevtova’s brother in law, living at the time in the Achkoi-Martan region, was blown up by a mine on the outskirts of a village. The explosion tore off his leg. He spent several months in the hospital of Achkoi-Martan and then was transported abroad by his relatives in order to continue recovery. When the woman answered that she didn’t know where her brother in law was, the security forces started to beat her up. One of them left several knife wounds on her body. Others put a knife to the children’s’ throats and said there would cut them apart if Iman didn’t give them the information they wanted. They tortured and then laughed at her suffering for around an hour and a half. According to the victim, one of the security forces suggested to another as they left, “Let’s get rid of the victims”. Most likely, he was suggesting that they kill the woman and her children. Residents of the PVR have confirmed that the security forces spoke Russian and Chechen. The locals believe that they were representative of the “Special Forces” of Russia and the Chechen Republic."

Document(s): Open document

04.2004 - Source: Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture

Chechnya: Report on the use of rape and other torture in the conflict ("Rape and Other Torture in the Chechnya Conflict: Documented evidence from asylum seekers arriving in the United Kingdom") [#22487],  [ID 16027]

This paper summarises the experiences of those clients seen at the Medical Foundation who have been tortured as a consequence of the conflict in Chechnya. It relates to the 35 clients provided with services by the Medical Foundation between December 1999 and January 2004. Although a small sample, their experiences are broadly typical of a wider pattern of gross abuse.

Document(s): Open document