Decision of the panel on the Russian Federation

In the case of Tunikova and others v. Russia, the Court found that women in Russia were subject to de facto discrimination with regard to protection against the risk of domestic violence.

The case concerned acts of domestic violence, including death threats, bodily injuries and a case of severe mutilation suffered by the applicants at the hands of their former partners or spouses, and the alleged failure of local authorities to establish a legal framework to combat the acts. for domestic violence and bringing perpetrators to justice.

The court found that the Russian authorities had failed to establish a legal framework to effectively combat domestic violence; have not assessed the risks of recurrent violence; and they did not conduct an effective investigation into the domestic violence suffered by the applicants. The ECtHR recommended that urgent changes be made to domestic law and practice to prevent such violations.