Chechen voices are being silenced, even those abroad

A protester displayed both the Ichkerian flag and an anti-Kadyrov sign, while another person held a Zarema Musaeva poster.

The fear of group punishment means most Chechens can't even speak publicly.

The internet plays a big role in today's politics. People in the West use it to get news, and diasporas create online communities to push for change back home or fight against dictatorships. But some groups are being silenced online.

In Chechnya, which Russia controls, the local government has a system to stop Chechens living abroad from talking about what's happening there. People can't safely speak against the Russian government led by Ramzan Kadyrov because they worry about their families back home.

It doesn't matter if they talk about politics, the war in Ukraine, or even something minor. Their families could still be at risk. This worry stops the world from knowing what's really happening in Chechnya.

Ayub, a Chechen activist in Europe, had his family targeted after he complained on Telegram about Chechnya. He said it's not just for famous activists:

'Even if someone posts about electricity problems in Grozny, the government might come to their house. They'll be taken away, beaten, and forced to take back the post if they're still in Chechnya. If they're abroad, their relatives will be kidnapped and tortured,' Ayub told me.

'That's what happened to me. I made a few comments on Telegram, and they threatened my family, telling them I had to be quiet. This happened while I was already living in Europe,' he said. He added that it was part of a campaign by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

He also said this isn't unusual: 'Everyone in the Chechen diaspora knows this could happen. It's not new.'

The Telegram channel NIYSO, a main Chechen opposition platform, often talks about how Chechens need to stay anonymous and safe online, both at home and abroad. They use a special system to share letters from Chechnya anonymously. Chechen blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov uses a similar system because his family has been threatened by the Russian government in Chechnya.

Yet, European governments don't seem too concerned about Chechen asylum seekers. Even with proof of danger, they keep sending Chechens back to Russia, saying it's 'safe' there.

This creates a quiet atmosphere. Chechens living abroad are careful about what they say. They avoid political events and sometimes don't speak at all. This affects more than just the diaspora. When those who are affected can't share their stories, we only hear Russian propaganda and government narratives.

Many Europeans want to know what's happening in the North Caucasus. They want to understand the Russian occupation and the daily lives of people under Kadyrov's rule. But the people who should be speaking are being silenced.

I've arranged many events about Chechen culture and unfairness, from family activities to political protests in the UK. People are interested and often ask how they can learn more about Chechnya. They want real Chechen stories, not just propaganda or pro-Russian influencers who praise Kadyrov. But most Chechens who could share those stories are forced to be quiet. Many avoid events and refuse to speak online.

This silence leads to misunderstandings about Chechen culture and makes it easier to deport Chechen refugees.

Western audiences only see martial arts programmes, sensational news, and carefully controlled cultural portrayals. The real story disappears, leaving a poor image of a society under pressure. Because people don't hear real Chechen stories, they don't realise how bad the human rights situation is. European citizens and governments, who aren't experts on the area, think nothing serious is occurring because no one is talking about it. They don't get that this silence is forced.

The world needs to hear what's happening in Chechnya, and the internet is the best way to share those stories. But until the fear of group punishment ends, most Chechens can't even speak publicly. As long as this silence goes on, Europe can't understand Chechnya, the reasons for Russian aggression in Ukraine, or the wider post-Soviet world. Without that understanding, it can't properly respond to the human rights abuses in the area.