Article 2
"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty." - Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Chechen authorities under leader Ramzan Kadyrov enforce a dress code on women in Chechnya. They make females wear headscarves in all public institutions, including government offices, schools, and hospitals. In 2010, a group of men, including law enforcement agents, shot women who weren't wearing headscarves with paintball guns in Grozny. After the attacks, there were threatening notes left around the city, warning that they could "resort to more persuasive measures." Kadyrov expressed approval of the paintball attacks, stating that he would "give an award" to the men who carried them out, that the women deserved the treatment, and that the women should be so ashamed that they should "disappear from the face of the earth."
There has also been a higher frequency of "honor killings" in Chechnya. These murders occur when families kill their female relatives who violate their sense of honor. The Washington Times states, "In the past five years, the bodies of dozens of young Chechen women have been found dumped in woods, abandoned in alleys and left along roads in the capital, Grozny, and neighboring villages" (Markosian 1) . Ramzan Kadyrov openly asserted that those killed were rightfully shot, for they had "loose morals." He also proclaimed that women are property of their husbands, and "if a woman runs around and if a man runs around with her, both of them should be killed" (Markosian 1).
According to Human Rights Watch, “The enforcement of a compulsory Islamic dress code on women in Chechnya violates their rights to private life, personal autonomy, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion, thought, and conscience. It is also a form of gender-based discrimination” (Lokshina 1). Not only does this Islamic dress code on women take away their basic human rights, but it conflicts with Russia's constitution. The constitution guarantees freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, and gender equality, and this dress code violates all three.
There has also been a higher frequency of "honor killings" in Chechnya. These murders occur when families kill their female relatives who violate their sense of honor. The Washington Times states, "In the past five years, the bodies of dozens of young Chechen women have been found dumped in woods, abandoned in alleys and left along roads in the capital, Grozny, and neighboring villages" (Markosian 1) . Ramzan Kadyrov openly asserted that those killed were rightfully shot, for they had "loose morals." He also proclaimed that women are property of their husbands, and "if a woman runs around and if a man runs around with her, both of them should be killed" (Markosian 1).
According to Human Rights Watch, “The enforcement of a compulsory Islamic dress code on women in Chechnya violates their rights to private life, personal autonomy, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion, thought, and conscience. It is also a form of gender-based discrimination” (Lokshina 1). Not only does this Islamic dress code on women take away their basic human rights, but it conflicts with Russia's constitution. The constitution guarantees freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, and gender equality, and this dress code violates all three.