Rights defenders dispute about effect of jokes about public apologies in Chechnya

Chechen authorities will ignore the jokes performed by participants in the humorous show "Igra" (Game) on the TNT TV Channel about public apologies to Kadyrov; the efficiency of this practice as an instrument of pressure on critics will not go down, human rights defenders believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a fragment of a TV show appeared in social networks, the performers of which react to the practice of public apologies in Chechnya, by depicting an apology of a dog who had barked at the head of Chechnya.

Because of ridiculing apologies to Kadyrov, the essence of these performances – intimidation of authors of statements unpleasant for Chechen authorities – is not lost, says Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civil Assistance" Committee*. Joking over apologies can amuse those who have nothing to do with Kadyrov.

"For those who have contact with Kadyrov and his henchmen, the situation is not at all funny," Ms Gannushkina has noted, adding that the practice of pressure on critics remains efficient; and the very fact of a joke will in no way affect the situation with intimidation of critics.

The practice of apologies will cease to intimidate, if jokes thereon continue, says Oleg Orlov, a board member of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial"*.

In the opinion of Alexander Likhtman, the founder of the communication agencies 2L and Smartcomm, apologies to Kadyrov have become commonplace for Russians; and in general for the "broad masses" it "has already become a meme."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 20, 2021 at 10:02 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.