08:33, 13 April 2019

UN finds Russia responsible for violence in Chechen family

A woman with traces of beatings. Photo: RFE/RL, https://rus.azattyk.org/

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women has supported Shema Timagova, a victim of domestic violence, in her complaint against the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) of Chechnya. The Russian authorities are offered to pay compensation to her.

In 2009, the husband of Shema Timagova beat her up with a shovel, causing injuries to her head, elbow and knee, for which he was fined by 15,000 roubles. After the divorce, Timagova stayed with her ex-husband in the same house, divided into two halves. The man attacked his ex-wife again, this time with an axe; however, a Russian court, which considered this case, concluded that the ex-wife herself provoked her ex-husband to violence. He was sentenced to nine months in jail, but released in the courtroom because he had been in custody before sentencing, says a report by the "Legal Initiative on Russia", published by the "Caucasian Knot" on October 25, 2015.

On April 12, the above UN Committee made public its position on Timagova's complaint. According to the Committee, Timagova was subjected to gender-based discrimination. Experts recommended Russia to appoint compensation to the victim.

The UN Committee also gave recommendations on reducing cases of violence against women. Russia, in particular, was recommended to criminalize domestic violence, and to provide free legal assistance and psychological support to victims of domestic violence. Authorities must fight the stereotypes, customs and practices that justify domestic violence, the Committee's decision has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 12, 2019 at 10:00 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.