The Chechen Parliament has asked the US Congress to consider the validity of the State Department's statement on the inclusion of Ramzan Kadyrov and his family members in the sanctions list.
The US State Department on Monday announced the inclusion of Kadyrov in the "black list" of persons involved, according to the Department, in human rights violations. The wife and daughters of the head of Chechnya were also sanctioned.
On Tuesday, the Republican Parliament held an emergency session in connection with new sanctions against Kadyrov and his family. The meeting was attended by representatives of the public, clergy, human rights defenders, and members of the government.
"Taking into account the fact that the legislative power in your country has its own weighty word, and also, according to the US Constitution, stands guard over democracy and human rights, the Parliament of the Chechen Republic has the honor to address you with a request to immediately consider the validity of the application of the US State Department in the person of its Secretary of state, Mr. (Mike) Pompeo. We have every right to urge explanations and clear answers to our questions, because this is now a matter of honor for every Chechen," the Parliament said in a statement, the text of which was read by speaker Magomed Daudov.
The document emphasizes that they do not understand the reasons for including in this list the wife and daughters of the head of Chechnya, "who raise their children, run a household and have nothing to do with politics."
"We do not threaten anyone, but we reserve the inalienable right to remind everyone who intends to offend the Chechen people and their leader that the family is sacred to each of us, and therefore inviolable," the document says. The deputies expressed hope that "the US Congress still keeps within its walls elementary concepts of the courage to speak only the truth and the dignity to admit their own mistakes."
Being blacklisted means being banned from entering the United States. Kadyrov was previously included in the US Treasury's sanctions list.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: website of the Parliament of Chechnya
Based on materials from RIA Novosti