In Brussels, Chechen women hold picket in solidarity with victims of repression

Six female activists representing public organizations of Chechen natives in Europe held a picket in solidarity with women, victims of repression in Chechnya.

The picket was held in front of the Russian consulate in Brussels, a correspondent of the “Caucasian Knot” reports. One of the organizers was the “United Force” movement, which recalled the role of Chechen women in the national liberation struggle of the Chechen natives.

“We remember how they took on the economic burden of wartime, how they risked their lives,” the announcement of the event declared.

The activists have spoken about the kidnappings, persecution, and pressure that mothers, wives, and sisters of the regime’s opponents are subjected to. In their hands, the picketers were holding portraits of Zarema Musaeva, Amina Okueva, Natalia Estemirova, and Binazira Khamidova.

“I want to clarify that the Kadyrov regime is not a Chechen regime, but a Russian one, and it has nothing in common with Chechen culture,” claimed Fatima Suleimanova, a member of the “United Force” movement.

The protest action is an expression of solidarity, not a demand on the Russian Embassy, explains activist Safiya, a co-organizer of the event.

“We want to show our solidarity with Chechen women and to show that we are with them. First of all, this concerns Zarema Musaeva, as well as the stories of Mufti Salakh Mezhiev removing niqabs from young women. This also concerns Binazira Khamidova, a pregnant woman who was tortured to death,” Safiya stated.

The activist has noted that the Zarema Musaeva’s case “only strengthened the feeling in Chechen society that Ramzan Kadyrov is capable of fighting women only.”

The gathered protestors also outlined a number of other problems of the Chechen diaspora related to the deportation of political refugees. “The most people gather for rallies against extradition. And protests often succeed in preventing extradition. For example, in case of Amina Gerikhanova,” emphasized activist Safiya.