The cruelty against our people must not go unpunished - OPINION

“The horrifying events in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in recent days have sparked widespread outrage. What does it mean to break into homes at night, commit acts of violence in front of family members, detain people without warning or interrogation, subject them to torture, administer electric shocks, and kill them using the most unthinkable methods—all without proven guilt or a court trial? Is this the ‘humanism’ and ‘internationalism’ of Russia, a country that claims to be the political heir to a nation proclaiming itself the ‘great herald of peace’ and the ‘cradle of friendship among peoples’? The storming of apartments by riot police, arbitrary detentions under the guise of ‘investigations’ without evidence, and subjecting individuals to torture machines—can this be called anything other than fascism? What international legal norms does this policy of chauvinism and discrimination against migrants, driven by ambitions of building a new empire, comply with?”

These remarks were made by Umud Rahimoghlu, President of the International Eurasia Press Fund, in response to the acts of violence and brutality against Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg.

According to Rahimoghlu, national discrimination, smear campaigns against migrants, and threats against non-Russian communities do not elevate Russia’s standing but instead reveal a country governed by lawlessness: “In a nation embroiled in the flames of war, migrants, including our compatriots, are conscripted and sent to battlefronts, often without compensation. Azerbaijanis earning an honest living in various cities are expelled from their workplaces and homes, falsely accused of crimes they did not commit. In what era or time do we live that people are treated as enemies simply for not belonging to the dominant nationality? While the world speaks of human values and principles of humanism, Russia remains trapped in feudal mindsets.”

He continued: “Discrimination against the dignified representatives of our people is increasing. Over the past six months alone, numerous incidents can be cited: the shooting down of a plane bound for Grozny in December last year, the denial of entry to a member of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis in Astrakhan, and cyberattacks targeting several of our country’s media outlets. Instead of apologizing for these acts, the Russian government remains silent, as if nothing has happened. Naturally, the impunity for such unlawful acts against humanity leads to further crimes. If those responsible for these atrocities had been duly punished in time, the situation would not have escalated to this point. As the saying goes, ‘the knife has reached the bone.’ The Kremlin’s racist and insidious policies are causing global unrest, wars, bloodshed, and enmity among peoples. This environment of impunity enables criminal elements to act with even greater audacity. The Russian government must urgently stop these actions, put an end to the brutality against Muslim citizens, identify and punish those responsible, and prevent the deepening of divisions between peoples. Otherwise, these actions could lead to even greater disasters and conflicts.”