Persistent discriminatory customs and traditions
The Committee expressed its concern at the “persistence of practices, traditions, patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes”, which perpetuate discrimination against women. This is reflected in the unequal status of women in education, public life, decision-making, marriage and family relations, and the persistence of honour killings, bridal kidnappings and violence against women. The Committee called on Russia to take urgent effective and systematic action to modify or eliminate stereotypes and negative traditional values and practices.
Violence against women
The UN body expressed serious concern that violence against women in all its forms has increased, both in the private and public spheres. The Committee was particularly concerned that “husbands are generally considered superior to their wives with the right to assert control over them, legitimizing the general opinion that domestic violence is a private issue”. Sexual and domestic violence carry social stigma, pressuring victims to keep silent and resolve any conflicts within the family. Further limiting victims’ access to justice, domestic violence cases are often treated as private charges to be filed by the victim, rather that by the state prosecutor.
The Committee called on Russia to adopt a comprehensive law on violence against women, including domestic violence, the criminalization of marital rape, sexual violence, sexual harassment, institutional violence and crimes committed in the name of honour. Russia must abolish article 134 (4) of the Criminal Code, which exempts offenders from criminal liability for having sex with a minor if they marry the victim. The Russian government must also ensure that all government bodies receive adequate training on issues of domestic violence.
A significant increase in the number of shelters for victims of domestic violence and their capacity is required. The Committee underlined that women attempting to escape a violent relationship are currently frequently unable to access independent housing or shelters and thus often compelled to share the same residence with a violent partner, even after an official divorce.
Violence against women in the Northern Caucasus
FIDH welcomes the specific attention paid by the Committee to the catastrophic situation of women in the North Caucasus including the Chechen Republic. The Committee noted that the conflicts over the past 15 years have led to an increase in discrimination and violence against women, including killings and harmful traditional practices, such as honour killings and bride-kidnapping. Such cases of violence and killings are rarely documented, prosecuted and punished. The Committee urged Russia to take immediate action to ensure the protection of the rights of women in the Northern Caucasus, including by ensuring that cases of violence against women and girls are fully and promptly investigated and that perpetrators are brought to justice, regardless of whether they are State or non-State actors.
Finally the Committee expressed deep concern that trafficking from, to and through Russia is increasingly prevalent, despite the adoption of laws prohibiting such crimes and insisted that Russia must take measures to ensure the prosecution of perpetrators and the protection of victims.
FIDH calls on the Russian government to take immediate measures to implement all recommendations of the CEDAW Committee and will continue to closely monitor this process.