Moskalkova suspected denounced in the reports of the persecution of gays in Chechnya
Moscow. April 20. INTERFAX.RU Commissioner for human rights in the Russian Federation Tatiana Moskalkova, questioned the veracity of reports of abductions of homosexuals in Chechnya.
“I suspect that it is provocation, what is it — a false accusation. We need to bring to the end (…). I’m not ready today to make these conclusions, but the findings have to do. What is it, really hurt people, or someone wants to speculate on this?” — said Moskalkova at a meeting with deputies of the state Duma Committee on civil society development, public and religious associations.
She noted that further validation is hampered by the lack of names of people who allegedly suffered in Chechnya.
“Yes, promise to give, I have the opportunity to personally go, request to see their documents. The law on protection of witnesses and victims in the criminal process gives the opportunity for privacy, protection, nine protection measures,” — said Moskalkova.
She noted that he made five requests with the same rights and opportunities that she has, including the Prosecutor General, the Investigative Committee, the interior Ministry, the Prosecutor’s office of Chechnya. They all gave negative answers, that there was no such crime.
“I talked with the initiators, they say, are afraid. It was stated about the loss and the two prisons with specific addresses in the town of Argun that there is supposedly a torture zone. I, having no interaction with human rights defenders, appeal to them to the journalists who work there, they leave the place, checking every corner — is untrue,” — said Moskalkova.
Informed to “Novaya Gazeta” published a material that in Chechnya detained about 100 people for homosexuality, killed at least three people. 18 April, the press Secretary of the edition Hope Trusenkova told “Interfax” that the statements about the inaction of law enforcement agencies and investigating the facts stated in the “Novaya Gazeta” about the situation of sexual minorities in Chechnya will be sent to the Investigation Committee by the end of the week.
She noted that while it is not done for security reasons, people who have suffered persecution, and their relatives. Trusenkova stressed that the newspaper has the names of fallen members of the LGBT community, and all victims, “their names we will call the investigating authorities, when they will be safe.” She confirmed that the Ombudsman contacted the journalist of “Novaya Gazeta” for information on the situation.
In turn, the head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov on 19 April during the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin has denied reports of arrests and killings of civilians in the Republic.