Moscow Bureau for Human Rights
115455 Moscow, Russia, p/o box 6
telfax 7 (495)670-69-75, 7(495)506-02-24
E-mail: [email protected]
Director of Moscow Bureau for Human Rights
Alexander Brod
In case of reprinting reference to Moscow Bureau for Human Rights is
obligatory
Aggressive xenophobia manifestations in RF during first half year of 2009
(Review of Moscow bureau for human rights)
Attacks
During first half year of 2009 112 attacks motivated by aggressive
xenophobia were committed, and 38 dead and 106 wounded were their results.
The attacks were recorded in Moscow and Moscow region (21 dead, 68 wounded),
St. Petersburg and Leningrad region (4 dead, 12 wounded), Nizhniy Novgorod
(2 dead, 10 wounded), Kaliningrad (1 dead, 2 wounded), Yaroslavl (1 dead, 2
wounded), Ingushetia, Lipetsk region, Ryazan, Novosibirsk region, Ulyanovsk,
Kemerovo, Stavropol (1 dead each), Kabardino-Balkaria (4 wounded), Murmansk
(3 wounded), Vladivostok (2 wounded), Daghestan, Blagoveshchensk, Tambov,
Syktyvkar, Yekaterinburg, Volgograd, Kostroma, Izhevsk (1 wounded each). The
victims of attacks include: Uzbeks (13 dead, 6 wounded), the Kirghiz (4
dead, 10 wounded), Tajiks (4 dead, 8 wounded), Daghestanis (2 dead, 4
wounded), the Vietnamese (3 dead), natives of African countries (1 dead, 16
wounded), Azerbaijanis (1 dead, 7 wounded), the Chinese (1 dead, 2 wounded),
Armenians, Koreans, Kabardinians, Bashkirs (1 dead and 1 wounded each), the
Ingush, Chechens (1 dead each), Russians (4 wounded), Jews, Spaniards (3
wounded each), Indians, Kalmyks, Bangladeshis, Buryats, Kurds, Latin
Americans (1 wounded each).
During the similar period of 2008, according to MBHR data, 152 attacks at
least were recorded motivated by xenophobia, and 69 people perished and 170
people at least were wounded as a result of them. The increase of activity
of law-enforcement bodies is obvious in counteraction to radical nationalism
manifestations, and this is confirmed also by increase of number of the
convicted under these clauses. At the same time one can’t speak about
decrease of acuteness of the intolerance problem in the country:
social-economic difficulties increase the protest mass the aggressive moods
of which may be directed at the representatives of ethnic minorities and
migrants; the instigatory propaganda of hostility does not decrease in
national-radical editions, especially on the Internet, groundless
anti-migrant rhetoric does not decrease in mass media as well as from some
politicians and officials. The state is not still starting the mass campaign
in the sphere of education and enlightenment for propaganda of interethnic
unity, tolerance, does not cultivate rejection of ideology of hatred based
upon ethnicity. In this connection it is possible that after the summer
slackening, in autumn, the national-radical groups would increase their
activity.
During second half of June, three attacks motivated by xenophobia were
recorded in Russian Federation, and two people perished and two were wounded
as a result of them. During the same period one murder else became known
that was committed earlier.
On June 17 in Kirovsk (Leningrad region) the bodies of two gastarbeiters
from Uzbekistan were discovered with numerous knife wounds.
On June 21 a citizen of Nigeria was wounded with a knife in the South-East
of Moscow.
On June 22 the crime committed in Vladivostok on May 30 became known when
four young people had beaten a citizen of Vietnam to death.
On June 25 in St. Petersburg an attack on 34-year-old female citizen of
Uzbekistan was committed. The woman received penetrating stab-cut wounds of
lumbar region and other body parts and 1st degree shock.
Vandalism
During first half year of 2009 59 cases of vandalism at least were recorded
including 1 case during second half of June.
On June 19 a swastika was drawn on the door of the Jewish community center
of Abakan city.
Interethnic conflicts
On June 27 a scuffle between Russians and Azerbaijanis took place in St.
Petersburg.
Clerical xenophobia
According to the reports of Slavic legal center, in May Saratov residents
became the witnesses of speeches of Saratov Orthodox eparchy figures against
the action "Feel the force of changes". Both mentioned action and the church
"Word of life" announced to be an initiator of the action, were ranked among
the sectarian ones.
Saratov branch of the Center of religious studies headed by Alexander Kuzmin
acting as the "expert" religious studies’ center accuses many non-Orthodox
as well as other religions and cults, without grounds and with choosing no
words with care, of most incredible evil deeds. Some time ago the Mormons
were the principal objects of war. Now "Word of life" became the target
though this is a legally registered religious community having about
thousand church members including the foreign students studying in one of
Saratov colleges.
Professor of Moscow spiritual academy, archdeacon Andrey Kurayev warned from
praising the tolerance principle. "It would be desirable to stop praising
the tolerance and permit ourselves discussing, for example, the problem of
compatibility of Christians and Moslems in today’s society", he stated in
his interview published by Estonian weekly "Day by day".
Developing the subject of coexistence of two of the world religions, father
Andrey expressed an opinion they are compatible in case "they are secular
enough".
"This is not a problem for Christianity, we have Christ’s words: "Give to
Caesar what is Caesar’s but give to God what is God’s". In Islam the
religion is not separated from the state, and some Moslem theologians would
always be available who would say that this principle being universally
recognized for Europe contradicts the Koran. Their tactics is clear: while
they are a minority, they speak about secular mode of life and equity but as
soon as they would number more than a half, they would demand total
control", the theologian thinks.
Response of authorities to xenophobia manifestations
With the purpose of combating extremism, the groups of "interethnic security
agents" will be created in Moscow prefectures. The head of the committee of
inter-regional ties and ethnic policy of Moscow government Mikhail
Solomentsev told about this. Their principal task will be the monitoring of
situation in their districts. "It is always seen well locally where one
lives and with whom one is on friendly terms or on the contrary at war. What
diasporas, ethnic organizations, radical nationalist groups are available in
the district. It is most difficult to affect the situation without such
work", the head of the committee is positive.
On June 25 the federal list of extremist materials was supplemented by three
Islamic editions:
378. Mahammad Salih al-Munadjit in edition by imam-hatib of Vladivostok Abu
Ahmad Abdullah ibn Djamil. Brochure "This is haram. The greatest sins in
Islam". The decision was passed by Frunzensky district court of Vladivostok
on 13.04.2009.
379. Kuliyev E., Badavi D. in edition by imam-hatib of Vladivostok Abu Ahmad
Abdullah ibn Djamil. Brochure"Zakyat. ItsplaceinIslam. FastinginRamadan,
itssignificanceforMoslems".
ThedecisionwaspassedbyFrunzenskydistrictcourtofVl adivostokon13.04.2009.
380. Muhammad bin Djamil Zinu. "Islamic Aqida (religious doctrine,
persuasion, outlook) according to the Sacred Koran and authentic sayings of
the prophet Muhammad". The decision was passed by Frunzensky district court
of Vladivostok on 09.07.2008.
The chairman of the Investigatory committee of the Office of general public
prosecutor of RF Alexander Bastrykin informed that during five months of
this year 211 crimes of extremist orientation were recorded in Russia.
The head of Directorate for provision of activity of district militia
officers and departments on affairs of the under age persons of Chief
Directorate of home affairs of Moscow region colonel Gennady Yakovlev
informed that during past five months of 2009 145 teenagers were detained in
Moscow region being the members of various nationalist and extremist
movements.
On June 23 the Office of general public prosecutor of RF conducted a broad
inspection of legality of foreign workers’ employment and stated aggravation
of interethnic relations in the places where redundancy of gastarbeiters is
available.
Basmanny court of Moscow repealed the warning passed in September 2008 on TV
channel "2×2" after a complaint of Russian Protestants concerning
inadmissibility of disseminating the extremist materials. In December 2008
the TV channel started the procedure of appeal against the warning passed in
September. Initially Basmanny court didn’t want to examine the case pleading
the fact it is outside its jurisdiction. The TV channel jurists appealed
this decision in Moscow city court, and after new examination Basmanny court
withdrew all the claims towards "2×2".
The Office of general public prosecutor of RF found the breaches of
legislation on counteraction to extremism in the Ministry of public health
and social development. The public prosecutors think that the officials
permitted too many foreigners to work in Russia thus breaking the rights of
Russians and also enabling aggravation of interethnic relations.
Public against xenophobia
In Barnaul gallery <Universum> a photo exhibition opened titled "Dialogue of
worlds: Russia seen by Chinese students, China seen by Russians".
In Moscow international scientific-practical conference "Moslems of CIS for
inter-religious and interethnic concord" took place.
In Nizhniy Novgorod the "Tournament of people’s friendship" in mini-football
took place.
In Vedeno settlement (Chechen republic) the activity "Youth against
extremism" took place.
In Vladimir region an action took place "Let’s protect the memory of the
Great Victory"; during it more than 8 thousand signatures were collected in
support of a bill on introduction of criminal liability for rehabilitation
of Nazism.
The Center of defense of mass media rights of Daghestan conducted a workshop
on the subject "Legislation on extremism in mass media, practice of its
application and tendencies".
In Komi a scientific conference took place "Interethnic relations in the
European North: history and current state".
In Novosibirsk the solemn opening of an arch "Bell of peace" took place.
In Samara a round table took place devoted to the project "Bridges of
neighborly relationship and resources of regional migratory policy".
In Daghestan a festival of the youth of Caucasus "Friendship of people –
unity of Russia" took place under a slogan calling for consolidation of
sound forces of representatives of all the peoples and religions,
cooperation and partnership, and stabilization of social-political
situation.
In Yekaterinburg a festival took place "Hundred drums for peace!". Its
principal objectives were the propaganda of healthy life-style, tolerance in
interethnic relations and respect towards cultural and ethnic traditions of
all the nations, as well as disclosure of creative abilities.
A conference on prevention of extremism manifestations took place in
Krasnodar.
A contest "Journalists of Russia against terror" was announced intended for
forming the correct attitude of society towards terrorism, its sources and
prevention.
In Kazan a festival "Creation of the world" took place. Natives of various
countries – political rivals such as Israel and Palestine, USA and Iran,
Armenia and Azerbaijan could meet in friendly duets.
An exhibition "Grand Volga in Moscow" opened in the capital of Russia. The
exhibition is a convincing example of cooperation of various ethnoses and
religions.
Law-enforcement practice
During first half-year of 2009 140 people were convicted for crimes
motivated by xenophobia. 1 person was sentenced to more than a 20-year
imprisonment, 13 – to 10-20-year imprisonment, 16 – to 5-10-year
imprisonment, 30 – to 1-5-year imprisonment, 5 – to imprisonment in
colony-settlement, 37 persons got suspended sentences, 18 – were sentenced
to correctional and public work, 4 – got educational effect measures, 1 –
was sentenced to 1 day of arrest, 89 – to penalties, 1 – sent for compulsory
treatment and 2 – were released from liability due to exceeding of statute
of limitation.
Number of the convicts during similar period of 2009 exceeds the number
during the same period of 2008 that was 105 persons.
During second half of June 16 persons were convicted for crimes motivated by
xenophobia. 1 person was sentenced to 23-year imprisonment, 10 persons – to
7,5-19-year imprisonment, 1 person – to 7-year imprisonment, 1 – to 3-year
imprisonment, 3 – got suspended sentences. Three of the accused were found
not guilty.
On June 14 two skinheads were detained in Moscow – student and schoolboy –
who attacked a newcomer from Kirghizia.
On June 16 the criminal proceedings were instituted in Stavropol region
concerning the events in Georgiyevsk where dozen and a half guys of age of
17-20 being armed with metal sticks and armature went out to the street to
arrange an "ethnic cleansing" in the city. They had time to beat three young
people with "non-Slavic" appearance until the militia came.
On June 16 in Kostroma the city court sentenced a skinhead who had beaten a
punk to three-year imprisonment.
On June 16 Angarsk city court (Irkutsk region) returned the criminal case
for supplementary investigation due to procedure motifs; the case dealt with
attack of skinheads on ecologists’ camp as a result of which anti-fascist
Ilya Borodayenko perished. The crime was committed on July 21, 2007.
On June 16 the criminal proceedings were instituted concerning the fact of
drawing the Nazi symbols on the building of republican KPFR committee in
Gorno-Altaysk (Republic of Altay).
On June 16 the Federal service for supervision in the sphere of
communications, informational technologies and mass media (Roscomnadzor)
passed the warning on the editorial board of Novosibirsk newspaper "For
people’s power!" concerning inadmissibility of extremist activity. The
publication titled "Open letter to Putin" in the issue dated February 12,
2009 became the reason. The experts found the signs of extremism in the
publication.
On June 16 the office of public prosecutor of Central district of St.
Petersburg instituted administrative procedure against Denis Kotov being the
general director of SC "Internet-shop". He is charged with delinquency
envisaged by clause 20.29 of the Code of administrative delinquencies of RF
(production and dissemination of extremist materials). The shop sold a book
by Georgy Butmi "Cabbala or freedom" included into federal list of extremist
materials. The justice of the peace found Kotov guilty and imposed a penalty
in amount of two thousand rubles upon him with confiscation of the book
copies available in the shop.
On June 17 it was announced that St. Petersburg militia solved a series of
attacks on the foreigners in the underground in 2007.
On June 17 the decision of Novosibirsk regional court came to force
terminating the procedure against the leader of Novosibirsk informal group
"White brotherhood" Mikhail Rodoshkevich.
On June 17 the Investigatory department of Investigatory committee of the
office of public prosecutor for Ulyanovsk region completed the investigation
of criminal case concerning the fact of a murder of the citizen of Vietnam
committed in Ulyanovsk.
On June 17 in Moscow the indictment was announced on the case of
Azerbaijanis being the members of a group "Black hawk" created for combat
against skinheads.
On June 17 the office of public prosecutor of Jewish autonomous region
approved the indictment against two persons under age for putting
inscriptions of extremist orientation and Nazi symbols on the building
walls.
On June 18 Moscow city court sentenced six skinheads to 7,5-19-year
imprisonment for murder and attempted murder of persons with non-Slavic
appearance.
On June 19 Savyolovsky court of Moscow passed a sentence on editor-in-chief
of "Duel" newspaper Yuri Mukhin who was found guilty of public appeals to
execution of extremist activity.
On June 19 the criminal proceedings were instituted in Sverdlovsky district
court of Krasnoyarsk concerning dissemination of a newspaper containing
appeals to social dissension.
On June 19 the criminal case of a Vladivostok resident was sent to court;
according to the version of investigation, he placed extremist materials on
the Internet and also produced and disseminated corresponding leaflets.
On June 20 in Stavropol region the militiamen detained the person suspected
of a murder of student from Daghestan.
On June 21 in St. Petersburg the criminal case of three young people was
sent to court; they are accused of insults and beating of Caucasians.
On June 22 a 21-year-old girl was detained in Moscow for placing extremist
materials inciting interethnic dissension on the Internet.
On June 23 the office of public prosecutor appealed against a guilty verdict
of Moscow city court against former leader of Movement against illegal
migration (DPNI) Alexander Belov who got suspended sentence on accusation of
inciting interethnic dissension.
On June 23 Altay regional court passed a guilty verdict against a skinhead
group "Wolves of Odin"; it committed two murders and about ten holdups.
On June 23 applications of the public prosecutor of Republic of
Bashkortostan Sergey Khurtin were sent to district courts of Ufa concerning
acknowledgement of 11 books and brochures of organization "Hizb ut-Tahrir"
to be extremist materials.
On June 24 St. Petersburg court passed a suspended sentence of 4-year
imprisonment against deputy head of department of investigation of
intentional homicides of Primorsky Directorate of home affairs Nikolay
Timoshenko founding him guilty of excess of official powers during
investigation of murders and attacks committed by St. Petersburg skinheads.
On June 25 the trial started in St. Petersburg against a group of young St.
Petersburg residents accused of murder and attempted murder of natives of
Moldova, Uzbekistan and Cameroon as well as of incitement of ethnic
hostility.
On June 25 the criminal proceedings were instituted in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
concerning the fact of racist inscriptions and drawing of swastika on a bank
note.
On June 26 the criminal case against the head of Kursk branch of DPNI
organization was sent to court in Kursk region; the organization is accused
of public appeals to execution of extremist activity, incitement of hatred,
hostility and humiliation of human dignity.
On June 26 a Kuzbass (Kuznetsk coal basin) pensioner got suspended sentence
to 1-year imprisonment for statements directed at humiliation of human
dignity basing upon race, nationality, attitude towards religion.
On June 26 the examination of the case of skinhead group completed in
Novosibirsk regional court. The accusation was actually a failure: among
four supposed group participants three were found not guilty and released in
the court hall. The office of public prosecutor of Novosibirsk region is
going to appeal against the sentence.
On June 29 Moscow regional militia detained eight young people suspected of
beating of two natives of Middle Asia.
On June 29 investigation of the criminal case against the Internet user was
completed in Bashkiria; he is accused of incitement of ethnic dissension.
On June 30 first hearings of the case on explosion of the Moscow – St.
Petersburg train "Nevsky express" in August 2007 took place in Novgorod
regional court. The state prosecution thinks the terrorist act was arranged
by a group subordinate to the famous leader of Chechen separatists Doku
Umarov.
On June 30 the press service of Investigatory department of office of public
prosecutor of Rostov region informed that editor-in-chief of Don newspaper
"Azov region" is accused of inciting interethnic hostility.