Kadyrov's reinforcement makes abolition of CTO regime in Chechnya formal

The abolition of the counterterrorist operation (CTO) regime failed to stop kidnappings and extrajudicial executions in Chechnya, while the powers of federal law enforcers have long passed over to Ramzan Kadyrov, the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" has stated. Festive events in Grozny on the occasion of a decade after the abolition of the CTO regime were held under intensified law enforcers' control.

In Grozny, a massive flash mob was organized, the participants of which, schoolchildren and activists, made the word "Peace" and released white doves into the sky. On April 16, a ceremony was also held of laying flowers to the memorial of perished law enforcers in Chechnya.

The cancellation of the CTO regime failed to radically change the human rights situation in Chechnya, despite the refusal of Chechen law enforcers from the practice of mass cleansings, the HRC "Memorial" has noted noted.

Alexander Cherkasov, the chairman of the HRC's Board, is sure that human rights violations continue in Chechnya even after the abolition of the CTO regime.

The termination of the CTO regime in 2009 was a formality, Oleg Orlov, the head of the "Hot Spots" Programme of the HRC "Memorial", asserts.

Let us remind you that in July 2018, the UN Committee against Torture expressed concern over the situation in Northern Caucasus in connection with executions, cases of torture and kidnappings, which were not investigated. Human rights defenders called on the UN to pay particular attention to human rights violations in Chechnya, including persecutions of LGBT activists.