Thousands of Russian women are killed or injured every year in domestic violence, a United Nations expert has said in an appeal urging the Russian government to prioritize women´s rights. (29-DEC-04)

The UN Commission on Human Rights´ Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Yakin Erturk, did not cite specific figures, but that domestic violence and sex discrimination were still low on the state agenda. womproblem

Erturk was on a visit to the Russian Federation that included a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Fedotov, and a trip to the Chechen Republic.


During the visit she met with representatives of the Federal Government and authorities of the republics of Ingushetia and the Chechen Republic and heard testimony from victims of human rights violations, relatives of “disappeared” persons, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs).


According to her, the situation is further aggravated by lack of sufficient shelters for battered women, especially in troubled places like the North Caucasus, which has been embroiled in a war against separatists in  the Chechen Republic.

“In this regard, some positive steps have been taken by the government towards normalization in the region,” she said.

However, women are still very likely to fall victim to violence in the region. “I heard first-hand accounts of women being arbitrarily detained and tortured following targeted operations [by the Russian special forces],” she said in a statement “UN WOMEN´S RIGHTS EXPERT CONCLUDES VISIT TO RUSSIAN FEDERATION” published by the UN on its site. 


“This is said to be in response to women´s involvement in terrorist attacks, particularly as suicide bombers.”

Erturk recommended that the Russian government take immediate steps in prioritizing women´s rights in judicial and non-judicial mechanisms, policies and programs; enacting legislation specifically criminalizing domestic violence and providing shelters for those in need; and launching gender awareness campaigns and providing training to law enforcement officers and security forces.

Erturk is expected to deliver a report on the outcome of her visit to the Russian Federation at the 62nd session of the UN Commission on Human Rights to take place in March and April 2006.

Photo: www.hro.org