OSCE expert receives materials about persecution of gays in Chechnya

An expert, who on behalf of the OSCE investigates human rights violations in Chechnya, has got materials with reports of persecuted members of the LGBT community. Kirill Koroteev, the legal director of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", has expressed his doubt that the OSCE investigation will be effective.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that 16 countries called for the creation of an emergency mission for international investigation into human rights violations in Chechnya in connection with the violation by Russia of its OSCE commitments. On November 1, in was reported about the launch of the Moscow Mechanism in relation to Russia. An Austrian lawyer chosen from among OSCE experts took up the investigation into reports about human rights violations in Chechnya.

Igor Kochetkov, the head of the "Russian LGBT Network", informed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that on November 20, he handed over to the OSCE expert the information about persecution of LGBT community members, rights defenders, and citizens critical towards the current government in Chechnya.

"According to the expert, his task is to verify the authenticity of the facts set forth in our public reports and media publications, as well as making legal recommendations for Russia," said Igor Kochetkov.

The expert may face opposition from the Russian authorities or the law enforcement bodies, but the OSCE does not have any legal levers of influence on the Russian side, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has been told by Kirill Koroteev, the legal director of the HRC "Memorial".

Moreover, the OSCE expert is not interested in the investigation, believes Kirill Koroteev. "The OSCE is engaged in imitation of stormy activities. They do nothing meaningful. One should not expect anything from an investigation," notes the legal director of the HRC "Memorial".

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 22, 2018 at 08:08 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.