Lokshina: Russian militiamen lose professionalism in Chechnya

Starting from the end of 2005, the Human Rights Centre "Demos" is implementing its inter-regional project "Drawing Public Attention to the Chechen Conflict from Viewpoint of Social Adaptation and Veterans' Professional Activities." On June 28, 2007, the results of almost two years of work were presented at the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

Tatiana Lokshina, head of the "Demos" Centre, disclosed the essence of the project realized by the Centre together with regional partners in her interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent:

"The project is just over. An essential book on the results of the studies is already written and will be printed right in a month <...>

It is important to add that we did not study the crimes committed by the militia workers sent to their Chechen mission. We tried to learn not what they were doing there, but what Chechnya was doing with them <...>

...It was also very interesting to see how militiamen perceive all that happens in Chechnya. At the same time, to show the Russian society that what happens in Chechnya is a real concern of each of us. Terrible things happen with them there, which cannot but tell on their work when they get back to their regions."

Out of the main problems revealed during the study, T. Lokshina has identified the problem of rehabilitation of veterans: "Lack of its solution destroys their professional and private life. On the other hand, in view of the absence of rehabilitation, the service tours to Chechnya result in loss of professionalism of militia workers. It tells highly negatively on their future work. Both the interviewed militia workers, and their direct bosses acknowledge this."