Chechen women tortured - UN

2004-12-25 06:34

Moscow - The United Nations on Friday voiced concern at first-hand reports of arbitrary detention and torture of women in Russia's war-torn republic of Chechnya.

"I heard first-hand accounts of women being arbitrarily detained and tortured following targeted operations (by the Russian special forces)," said Yakin Erturk, UN special rapporteur on violence against women, after a visit to Chechnya.

"This is said to be in response to women's involvement in terrorist attacks, particularly as suicide bombers," Erturk explained.

Two women were among a team that seized a school in Beslan, North Ossetia, in September, resulting in 344 deaths, and many suicide bombings over the past few years have been committed by so-called "black widows" seeking to avenge their dead husbands, sons or brothers.

"In the absence of the rule of law, the civilian population suffers abuse by security forces and Chechen armed groups, leaving a climate of fear and insecurity," Erturk warned.

On the general theme of treatment of women in Russia, the UN official's report also called on the Russian government to protect women better from domestic violence.

The overall situation of Russian women had improved over the last decade, she said, noting that the Russian Federation had undertaken administrative and legislative changes contributing to improving matters.

But violence against women and sexual discrimination nevertheless remained only secondary themes on the political agenda.

A bill on domestic violence submitted to the Duma (lower house) had not been passed, and a women's commission set up to promote sex quality in public policy and programmes had been abolished this year.

Violence, particularly domestic violence, continued to cause damage and threatened the lives of thousands of women every year, she said.

Because of lack of resources, many women were forced to continue sharing an apartment with a violent partner even after a divorce.

- AFP