Death threats against human rights lawyer Magomed Alamov must be promptly investigated
Human Rights Defender Under Threat: Investigate Death Threats Against Magomed Alamov Swiftly
Magomed Alamov is a well-known human rights lawyer, and his family has been threatened. Amnesty International has urged Russian authorities to look into this threat as soon as possible and to make sure the family is adequately protected.
On October 23, Magomed, a volunteer for the non-governmental organization Crew Against Torture, which works with SK SOS, a domestic abuse support group in the North Caucasus, received threats from the relatives of a young lady who had used his organization’s help to escape her Ingushetia home.
Local human rights activists released an audio tape of Magomed Alamov speaking with a young woman who lives with her family. He says on tape, “I’m at your house right now, with your family around me. My family’s safety, as well as mine, is in jeopardy. You have one week to return home, as per their condition. They vow to hurt me if you don’t come back.” Colleagues of Alamov quickly contacted law enforcement, but as of right now, they have not responded. Magomed is still worried about his family’s safety, even though he was able to exit the building without any problems.
“The inaction of the authorities in a situation where the life of a human rights lawyer is at risk because of his work is simply unacceptable,” said Natalia Prilutskaya, Amnesty International Russia’s Researcher
“The authorities must act urgently to provide effective protection for Alamov and his family, and promptly conduct a thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the threats made against him and his relatives with a view of identifying those responsible.
“Magomed Alamov’s case further highlights a distressing reality where the Russian authorities continuously fail to act against the surge of cases of domestic violence reported across Russia. This includes reports from the North Caucasus, where an increased number of allegations present a grim picture of domestic violence perpetrated particularly against young women attempting to forge an independent life away from their family or separate from their partners. Many are forcibly kept in the family or returned by force to their family or partner’s home if they manage to escape. Regrettably, these human rights violations persist with the complicity of law enforcement officers, who should be combating such injustices.”
According to Crew Against Torture, the family members of a young woman who holds key positions in Ingushetia are the ones who put Magomed at risk.
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