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Amnesty International accuses several European countries of deporting Muslims to Russia even though they risk being tortured, imprisoned or “forced to fight” in Ukraine. France, Germany, Poland, Croatia and Romania, among other countries, have deported or extradited Chechen, Dagestan and Ingush Muslim refugees from the North Caucasus region, according to an investigation conducted by the organization and published on Thursday. “Entire communities have been labeled as 'dangerous extremists' because of their 'religious and ethnic identity', says Amnesty International, which rebukes authorities for justifying illegal expulsions on the grounds of 'national security'. They say it is a 'historic stain' in Europe has increased since the war on Gaza.
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“It is unconscionable to use the excuse of increasing tensions in the Middle East to justify the return of asylum seekers,” says Nils Mueznicks, Director of Amnesty International's European Office. Muizniecs finds it “shameful” that despite the supposed freeze on all judicial cooperation with Russia due to the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, several European countries are “threatening to deport people (…) to the same place where they were subjected to violations.” “, Criticize.
“The prohibition on return due to the risk of torture and other ill-treatment is absolute and does not allow for any exceptions, not even for reasons of national security.” For this reason, Amnesty International is calling on European governments to “immediately halt” all expulsions that risk violating human rights in Russia.
Suppression of minorities
The organization warns that the situation of these Muslim-majority communities has been “significantly” worsened by deteriorating human rights standards in Russia since the war in Ukraine. They see the Chechnya region as particularly worrying, where LGTBQ individuals, dissidents or activists are subject to “attacks” and arrests.
In addition, Amnesty International confirms that there are “credible reports” of “disproportionate mobilization” of ethnic minorities in the country to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
'Mysterious' expulsions
Amnesty International accuses several European countries of “covering up” in deportation operations and using “secret evidence” from the security services and “unfounded allegations” from the Russian authorities. They will also accept “diplomatic guarantees” from “unreliable” Moscow. They say the practices violate these asylum seekers' right to international protection.
The organization highlights the case of France and the fact that President Emmanuel Macron has put young people aged between 16 and 25 in the Caucasus in the spotlight following the stabbing incident that occurred at a school in Arras in October.
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