Human Rights Violations Report in the Republic of Chuvashia
Ombudsman of Chuvashia, Commissioner for Human Rights
Oreshnikov Mikhail
April 2026
In April, independent media reported on problems with ensuring the right to safe housing and on a high-profile case involving an official who used physical force against a person with a disability.
1. Long-term failure to resettle a dilapidated house in Cheboksary
On 16 April the Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case on negligence following numerous appeals from residents of a dilapidated house on Grazhdanskaya Street in Cheboksary.
The house, built in 1956, was declared dilapidated as early as 2019, yet residents continued to live in it. According to media reports, the investigation was launched after widespread publicity and citizens’ appeals to the reception office of the Investigative Committee. The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin, demanded a report on the progress of the investigation.
Legal analysis
Prolonged residence of citizens in a dilapidated house may indicate a violation of:
• Article 40 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation (right to housing);
• Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (right to an adequate standard of living, including housing);
• provisions of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation regulating the resettlement of dilapidated housing stock.
Category: possible violation of the right to housing and effective public administration.
2. Official who struck a person with a disability received a state award
On 21 April independent media reported that an official from Chuvashia, who had previously become the subject of public controversy after using physical force against a person with a disability, received a state certificate of honour.
Legal analysis
If the fact of the use of violence is confirmed, the situation may affect:
• Article 21 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation (protection of the dignity of the person);
• Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (equality before the law);
• provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which provide for the protection of persons with disabilities from violence and discrimination.
Particular attention should be paid to the state’s response. If a person accused or found guilty of unlawful actions receives official encouragement without a proper legal assessment of what occurred, this may raise doubts about compliance with the principles of equality before the law and accountability of public officials. At the same time, final conclusions must be based on the results of an official investigation or judicial proceedings.
Category: possible violation of the rights of persons with disabilities, the right to personal dignity, and the principle of equality before the law.
Overall conclusion for April
The main events of April concern the social and personal rights of citizens:
• the right to safe and decent housing;
• the state’s obligation to respond in a timely manner to threats to the life and health of citizens;
• the protection of persons with disabilities from violence;
• the need for an effective and impartial investigation of the actions of officials.
Both episodes received wide coverage and are confirmed by official statements of the Investigative Committee or publications of independent media.