Chechen ombudsman vs «Human rights watch»The international organization Human Rights Watch has compiled a report, claiming that in Chechnya, "there is being enforced an Islamic dress-code for women." Chechen ombudsman Khurgi Nukhajuiev said that the report is intended for people unaware of Chechen realities. From his point of view, a certain section of Chechen intellectuals enjoy using fashionable foreign words. In this case the words "dress-code" are deliberately used in conjunction with the adjective "Islamic", and that ordinary Russian and European men fear «Islamic terrorism», «Islamic extremism» and so on, and so that, on hearing the phrase «Islamic dress-code», a man feels in danger and becomes alert. It is an unworthy and base gimmick. " 'Dress-code' means simply a convenient dress form, which is required for visiting certain events, organizations and establishments. In reality, there are no Islamic dress-codes at all. Women are proscribed to dress properly in order to be respected," he said
Playing up the topic of discrimination of Chechen women is sometimes even absurd. Information about infringements of their rights to a private life, private autonomy, freedom of speech, thought, religion and views are being discussed at an international level. Nukhajuyev said that for multinational and multicultural Russia, an automatic imitation of Western experience is unacceptable. Things considered to be a means of self-expression and private autonomy, expressed in unisex marriages and the manner of dressing in other societies, are unacceptable for the peoples of the Caucasus. The imposition of modern pseudo-voguish trends on a certain ethnic group is nothing more than an attempt to change the genetic code of a nation, which inevitably leads to its degradation. Even in the communist era the Chechens preserved their national identity, thanks to their caring attitude to their customs and traditions. The woman was the main custodian preserving these traditions. Women (as mothers) took special place in family and society. In Chechen society, women are entrusted to rear children. The reverent attitude to women has been intrinsic of Chechens from ancient times. There is much evidence of this. Even the most ferocious fight was stopped when a woman threw her headscarf into the fight. Disrespect for one's wife's and mother's relatives is considered the most shameful act in Chechen society.
The consequences of the two cruel military campaigns substantially undermined and weakened Chechen traditions. It is the restoration of respect for woman, the strengthening of her role in society, that measures for the spiritual and moral revival of the Chechen society are aimed at. There is no coercion or discrimination against women on the part of the Chechen authorities and certainly not on the part of religious institutions. They are impossible in principle. Today, women are walking in the streets of Grozny wearing dresses far from Islamic canons and bareheaded. They actively participate in the public life of the republic. Many women work in state institutions. It should be mentioned that there are more successful entrepreneurs among women than men. Women driving cars do not surprise anybody, either in towns and villages.
Some phrases in the report sound threatening, and I think this is deliberate: The government of the Russian Federation “should put an end to the enforcement of compulsory Islamic dress code by the Chechen authorities and other violations of women’s rights in Chechnya”, “Russia’s international partners should pay close attention to the dramatically deteriorating situation in women’s rights”. Top Chechen officials, including me, are blamed for nobody talking about the necessity of changing customs. “The authors of the report do not want to acknowledge that, when new civilizations and cultures get involved in global processes, the idea of human rights itself requires a new interpretation and reconsideration. However much some people may desire it, this idea cannot embrace our immense and diverse world. There are many examples of this rule. We've seen the results of “democratization” attempts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hundreds of thousands' dead and tragedy for millions. However, some zealous champions of human rights have understood nothing. As the saying goes, whomsoever learns nothing from history, will be taught by history.
Lada Ledenyova, exclusively for VK
