August 09, 2023

Young Chechens Face Passport Hurdle


Young Chechens Face Passport Hurdle
Person holding a Russian passport. Alexander Nrjwolf, Unsplash.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Chechnya has introduced a new requirement that individuals under 30 must apply for a passport in the presence of their parents. The rationale behind this decision, as explained by the Ministry, is to ensure that the purpose of the trip does not pose any conflict with the interests of the Russian Federation (as in, perhaps, fleeing the country because one does not want to kill or be killed in a foreign war?).

In addition, in February 2023, a report emerged from the human rights organization SK SOS that a Chechen woman was denied a passport unless she could provide a "guarantee" from an "older male relative."

The development came to light because of a case brought by lawyer Alexander Nemov from SK SOS, in which his client was denied a passport under the new guidelines.

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