Moskalenko: it is unsafe for Caucasians to address the ECtHR

Lately, more than twenty applicants from Chechnya, whose cases were supported by the International Advocacy Support Centre, received compensations under decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). This was reported on June 22 by the head of the Centre Karina Moskalenko. In her opinion, justice in Russia faces huge obstacles.

"We should notice the fact that the Russian Federation tries to appeal against practically all decisions of the ECtHR known to us. The government is stubborn in its unwillingness to recognize what is obvious. It results in non-fulfilment of many general decisions of the ECtHR," Ms Moskalenko said during a meeting from the cycle "Strasbourg sit-rounds: what's new in European legal institutes", held at the Independent Press Centre in Moscow.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent further reports that Karina Moskalenko has noted that, since the authorities of the Russian Federation believe that ECtHR decisions are unjustified; they would not fulfil the general-character decisions aimed at improving the efficiency of domestic justice.

She believes that victims of authorities' abuse are unprotected; and even an appeal to the ECtHR cannot guarantee one's safety. "Russia sees cases when applicants to the ECtHR die; and for rights defenders helping victims is unsafe either," the head of the Centre said.

In particular, Osman Boliev was the head of the public organization "Romashka" (Camomile) in Khasavyurt, initiated litigation on kidnapping of a Dagestan residents by militiamen and submitted a complaint on the case to the ECtHR. In November 2005, Boliev was detained and accused of participation in illegal armed formations. As to his organization, FSB agents held inquiry of alleged laundering of western money.

Now Boliev is in emigration, as his life was under real threat, and lives now in one of European countries, said Karina Moskalenko.