ECtHR's decision in Yusupova's case evidences poor investigation of disappearances in Chechnya, advocates assert

The decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the case "Malika Yusupova at al versus Russia" has proved that the investigatory authorities did not want to inquire into people's applications about disappearances in Chechnya, said the lawyer Dokku Itslaev. In most cases, even after the decision of the ECtHR investigators continue idling, said his colleague Grigor Avetisyan. Many relatives who have lost hope stop addressing law enforcement bodies; and, by doing so, deprive themselves of the opportunity to have their cases considered by the ECtHR, said the lawyer Magomed Magomadov.

Let us remind you that on January 15, the ECtHR passed its decision on the complaint lodged by 14 relatives of six residents of Chechnya, who disappeared in 2011-2002, and awarded the compensation in the amount of 410,000 euros, recognizing that their rights had been violated.

According to Magomed Magomadov, the lawyer of the Chechen Republic's Public Organization (ChRPO) "Mothers of Chechnya", the number of such cases in the near future is unlikely to increase, despite the fact that in Chechnya there are a lot of criminal cases on kidnappings, which remain un-investigated for 10-14 years. He added that many over the years have reconciled with their losses.

The lawyer Grigor Avetisyan, who is collaborating with the non-governmental organization "Legal Assistance-Astrea", has noted that the Committee of Ministers had earlier pointed out the unsatisfactory situation in connection with the enforcement of the decisions of the ECtHR on the so-called "Chechen cases".

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.