Amid fears of rights defenders, ECtHR rejects urgent measures in case of Chechen woman Khalimat Taramova

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) considered convincing the arguments of the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) about the absence of a threat to life of young woman Khalimat Taramova in Chechnya and decided not to take urgent measures in connection with her detention by law enforcers in Dagestan, the “Russian LGBT Network”* reported. Contrary to the assurances of the Russian authorities, more than 20 human rights organizations expressed their concern about the fate of the young woman.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that according to human rights defenders, Khalimat Taramova was forcibly taken to Chechnya from a shelter apartment for victims of domestic violence.

On June 14, the “Grozny” TV Channel aired a report from Khalimat Taramova, in which she said she was glad to be at home. The young woman assured that she was “absolutely not pressured” and “got delicious food.” In their comments on the TV report, Internet users noted that Khalimat Taramova behaved unnaturally.

According to Veronika Lapina, a consultant of the “Russian LGBT Network”*, Khalimat Taramova cannot be recognized as missing, as she was shown on the “Grozny” TV Channel. “De facto, Khalimat Taramova is being held hostage, since she has no access to communications and independent lawyers,” the newspaper “Novaya Gazeta” quotes the consultant of the “Russian LGBT Network”* as saying.

Meanwhile, the “Civic Solidarity Platform” expressed “grave concern” about the Khalimat Taramova’s safety and the fact that the young woman is “at risk of violence from her family members and also from the Chechen authorities.” The statement was signed by 22 human rights organizations, including the Human Rights Centre (HRC) “Memorial” and the World Organization Against Torture.

* The organization is included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the register of non-profit organizations-foreign agents.