Russia: Information on the treatment by the general population, the police, army and medical personnel of Russian women living in Moscow who are married to persons from the Caucasus
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RUS16624.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia: Information on the treatment by the general population, the police, army and medical personnel of Russian women living in Moscow who are married to persons from the Caucasus, 1 April 1994, RUS16624.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaf3b4.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A representative of the Berkley Stanford Programme in Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies at the University of Berkley stated that recent police crack-downs on alleged criminal elements operating in Moscow's food markets and mass deportations of individuals living in Moscow without residency permits have led to an increase in anti-Caucasian sentiments (18 Feb. 1994). However, the source stated that if a Russian woman married to a Caucasian is working and has a valid residency permit, it is unlikely that she would experience major problems from the police or army.
A source at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at the University of London also stated that Caucasians in Moscow are discriminated against by the Russian population in general and that racist attitudes have become much more prevalent since the current crack-down on illegal residents and their businesses began in October of 1993 (31 Mar. 1994). The source added that the formation of independent states in the Caucasus has also contributed to anti-Caucasian sentiments.
The source stated that the general population's treatment of the woman would likely depend on whether she uses her husband's name, whether she has children with Caucasian features, and her social and economic status.
According to a source at the Refugee Studies Programme at Oxford University, discrimination against ethnic Russians in mixed marriages is not currently an institutionalized phenomenon, and it is unlikely, for example, that the woman would lose or be denied a job simply because she was married to a Caucasian. However, the source stated that it is highly probable that such a person could be mistreated by her neighbours according to their own individual prejudices (6 Apr. 1994).
According to a doctoral student at Oxford University specializing Caucasian groups, an ethnic Russian woman could expect major problems from the police, army and medical personnel if she did not have a valid Moscow residency permit (6 Apr. 1994). She stated that if the woman did not have a permit, she could be denied access to medical services in Moscow and would also face the threat of deportation. The source added that officials are currently encouraging denunciations of those without residency permits.
The source stated that Moscow police routinely single out individuals on the street who appear to be Caucasian and question them as part of the crack-down on non-residents. The source stated that if the woman was with her husband at the time, it is likely that she would also be questioned.
For additional information that may be useful, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Director, Berkley Stanford Programme in Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies, Berkly, Cal. 18 February 1994. Telephone interview.
School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London. 31 March 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Refugee Studies Programme, Oxford University. 6 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Doctoral student specializing in Caucasian ethic groups and issues, Oxford University. 6 April 1994. Telephone interview.
Attachments
The Center for Human Rights Advocacy (CHRA). 1993. Discriminatory Enforcement of Moscow's "Propiska" Regulations Violates Human Rights. Boulder, CO: CHRA.
. Addendum to Affidavit sent to the DIRB. 7 April 1994.
Interfax [Moscow, in English]. 13 December 1993. "Procedure Approved to Expel Illegal Visitors From Moscow." (FBIS-SOV-93-239 15 Dec. 1993, p. 72)
Isvestiya [Moscow, in Russian]. 4 November 1993. "Moscow Visitors Must Register With Officials." (FBIS-SOV-93-215 9 Nov. 1993, p.48)
ITAR-TASS [Moscow, in English]. 9 November 1993. "Moscow Sets Rules for Visitors Without Visas." (FBIS-SOV-93-215 9 Nov. 1993, p. 48)
Rossiyskaya Gazeta [Moscow, in Russian]. 11 September 1993. "Moscow, Kuban Criticizes New Residence Law." (FBIS-SOV-93-177 15 Sept. 1993, pp. 41-42)
Moscow Russian Television Network [Moscow, in Russian]. 9 September 1993. "Moscow Government Opposes Freedom of Movement Law." (FBIS-SOV-93-174 10 Sept. 1993, p. 46)
