Returned to Chechnya and paraded on TV: Khalimat Taramova’s story

Khalimat Taramova is only 22 years old, but she’s been through a lot, especially in the past two weeks. Kept under lock and key at home in Chechnya, her family beats her and even forced her to undergo so-called “conversion therapy.” Taramova identifies as bisexual. Last month, she reached out to a prominent LGBT rights group begging them to help her reach safety. On June 6, when she got to a women’s shelter in Dagestan, a couple of hours outside Chechnya, it seemed like she was finally safe. She wasn’t. 

For a better understanding of Taramova’s case and its broader context in Chechnya, The Naked Pravda spoke to human rights professionals Veronika Lapina, executive advocacy and international litigation advisor to the Russian LGBT Network, and Vanessa Kogan, the director of the Russian Justice Initiative.

“The Naked Pravda” comes out on Saturdays (or sometimes Fridays). Catch every new episode by subscribing at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or other platforms. If you have a question or comment about the show, please write to Kevin Rothrock at [email protected] with the subject line: “The Naked Pravda.”

Background on Khalimat Taramova

‘We begged not to be handed over to Chechnya’ After promising protection, police in Dagestan raid a domestic violence shelter to drag a woman back to Chechnya

4 years ago

Background on Khalimat Taramova

‘We begged not to be handed over to Chechnya’ After promising protection, police in Dagestan raid a domestic violence shelter to drag a woman back to Chechnya

4 years ago