Sardana Guryeva, the human rights ombudswoman in Russia’s Far East republic of Sakha (Yakutia), has called on federal authorities to pass a law criminalizing domestic abuse following a similar law that was recently passed in Kazakhstan. Guryeva’s comments were in response to the high-profile trial of an ex-official in Kazakhstan who was accused of brutally murdering his wife. The public outrage over this case prompted Kazakh officials to adopt a bill criminalizing domestic violence, signed into law by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Guryeva stated that it is time to take decisive action to prevent such “unacceptable evil” from happening.
Russia decriminalized first-time domestic violence offenses that result in “minor harm” in 2017, which activists argue has enabled abusers and strengthened a culture of impunity around these crimes. Despite attempts by activists and opposition lawmakers to pass legislation to protect women, no significant results have been achieved. There are warnings that domestic violence cases in Russia may increase rapidly as more men return from the front lines in Ukraine. In response to the lack of legislation, Sakha established its first and only help center for victims of domestic violence in November 2023 following the brutal murder of 26-year-old Nadezhda Ammosova by her partner.
Guryeva emphasized the need to create a society where domestic violence is absolutely unacceptable and violators face deserved criminal punishment. She pledged to relay her proposal to the relevant authorities in order to work towards ensuring that everyone can feel safe in their own homes. The passage of a law criminalizing domestic violence in Kazakhstan has served as an example for other countries, like Russia, to follow suit and take decisive action to protect victims and hold abusers accountable.
The murder of Saltanat Nukenova in Kazakhstan and similar cases of domestic violence highlight the urgent need for stronger laws and protections for victims. The passage of legislation in Kazakhstan criminalizing domestic violence has been a significant step towards addressing this issue and preventing further tragedies. Guryeva’s call for federal authorities in Russia to take action and pass a similar law is a response to the growing concern over the prevalence of domestic violence and the lack of adequate legal protections for victims.
The establishment of a help center for victims of domestic violence in Sakha is a positive step towards providing support and resources for those affected by abuse. However, the lack of comprehensive legislation in Russia addressing domestic violence remains a significant concern. Without strong legal protections and consequences for abusers, victims may continue to suffer and the cycle of violence could persist. Guryeva’s advocacy for a law criminalizing domestic violence in Russia is a crucial step towards addressing this issue and protecting the rights and safety of all individuals.
Overall, the call to criminalize domestic abuse in Russia following the passage of a similar law in Kazakhstan highlights the importance of addressing this serious issue and providing necessary protections for victims. Guryeva’s efforts to push for legislation and create a society where domestic violence is unacceptable demonstrate a commitment to promoting human rights and ensuring the safety of all individuals, particularly those vulnerable to abuse. The passage of a law criminalizing domestic violence in Russia would be a significant step towards addressing this issue and holding abusers accountable for their actions.
