Country Expert Witness on Russia and Post-Soviet Countries: Providing Expert Witness Reports for Asylum Applicants from Russia

Human Rights Violations and Political Repression in Modern Russia

Hello, dear colleagues!
This article is addressed to law firms representing asylum applicants from Russia. My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I specialize in preparing expert reports for asylum seekers.
In this video, I will discuss my approach to analyzing the situation in Russia, highlight key issues related to human rights violations, and explain why an expert report plays a crucial role in asylum cases.

What is an Expert Witness Report?
As you may know, an expert witness report is an independent analytical document used to verify facts, substantiate risks, and assess the situation in the applicant's country of origin. Its primary purpose is to demonstrate that the applicant faces a genuine threat of persecution in their country and cannot safely return.

Why is the Expert Witness Report so important?
An expert witness report is crucial at every stage of the asylum process:

At the application stage: It helps determine the applicant's personal risks and their connection to the overall situation in their country of origin.
At the appeal stage: If the application is denied, the report can be used for a detailed analysis of the immigration authority’s decision, identifying errors and providing additional evidence.

Key functions of an Expert Witness Report:

Contextual analysis: Confirms the broader picture of the situation in the country, including political instability, repression, and conflict, with references to international and local sources.
Assessment of individual risks: Demonstrates the connection between the applicant's personal risks and the conditions in their home country.
Strengthening the evidentiary base: Confirms that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group subject to persecution.
Support for authoritative sources: Cites reputable organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, and others, in accordance with the OSCOLA citation standard.

Expert Witness on Russia and Post-Soviet Countries
I provide expert witness reports for asylum seekers from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

About Me
My name is Maxim Kharitonov. I am a human rights expert, specializing in political repression and social violations in post-Soviet countries. My work involves providing objective and professional expert reports for asylum seekers in countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and the European Union. I specialize in analyzing and presenting evidence that confirms the risk of persecution in the former Soviet Union countries.

My Achievements:

Over 100 successful expert witness reports prepared for asylum seekers from post-Soviet countries, including Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, both at the appeal stage and at the initial application stage.
Collaboration with leading law firms in the USA and the UK, providing reports that have served as key evidence in successful asylum decisions.
Winner of the Expert Witness Awards 2024 in the category of "Best Immigration Expert."
Extensive knowledge of legislation and politics in post-Soviet countries, allowing me to objectively assess the risks of political persecution, human rights violations, and other security threats to applicants.
Recognized as a reliable expert in human rights and political repression, listed in the Expert Witness Database for immigration and legal proceedings (EIN): https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov.
Having personally gone through the asylum process, I fully understand the importance of presenting a complete and accurate picture to the court.

If you're looking for a professional expert for asylum cases from post-Soviet countries, my services will help you prepare a convincing case for your clients.

Human Rights Violations in Russia

Russia faces serious human rights issues, including:

1. Political Repression
Opposition members and dissenters are at risk of arrest, criminal charges, and threats. Political activists and critics of the government face harassment and the suppression of their rights.

2. Anti-War Protests
Participants in anti-war protests are detained, subjected to legal proceedings, and persecuted. The authorities target those who oppose the war in Ukraine, leading to arrests and long sentences.

3. Forced Mobilization
Conscription affects even those who have not previously served in the military. Evasion of conscription is punishable by criminal penalties, and those drafted face the risk of being sent to combat zones.

4. Pressure on Anti-War Activists
Anti-war activists face social isolation, dismissal from work, and threats to their lives. Many have been subjected to public attacks and intimidation, as well as threats of violence.

5. Persecution of Returnees
Asylum seekers who return to Russia risk being accused of treason and face criminal prosecution for leaving the country. This is particularly true if the individual has attracted media attention or is seen as a political threat.

6. Freedom of Speech
Independent journalists are subject to arrest and censorship. The government has increasingly cracked down on media outlets critical of its policies, especially in relation to the war in Ukraine.

7. Internal Displacement Issues
The authorities can easily track the movements of citizens, especially activists, making internal relocation increasingly difficult and dangerous. Dissidents and those opposed to government policies face severe surveillance.

8. Limited Access to Legal Defense
Lawyers and human rights defenders working on political cases often face persecution. They are targeted by the state for providing legal support to activists or individuals facing government retribution.

In my reports, I provide a detailed analysis of these issues, supported by credible sources, findings, and conclusions.
How I Work on Reports for Russia
I typically prepare expert witness reports based on instructions from major law firms in the UK and the USA.

The common questions I am asked to address include:

Description of the Current Political Situation in Russia, including the status of the opposition.
How the Authorities Respond to Anti-War Protesters.
The Risks Faced by Those Who Oppose Government Policy, particularly those opposing the war in Ukraine.
The Reality of Forced Mobilization and the likelihood of being sent to combat zones.
The Feasibility and Risks of Internal Relocation within Russia.
Risks for Returnees to Russia after Seeking Asylum Abroad, especially those who have attracted media attention.
How the Russian System Deals with Draft Evasion and Protests Against Mobilization.

In each report, I provide a comprehensive analysis, backed by authoritative sources, ensuring an objective evaluation of the risks involved.

My Specialization
I work not only with applicants from Russia but also with those from other post-Soviet countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Each case is unique, and I prepare reports with careful consideration of all individual factors. This ensures that my clients can confidently present their cases before courts and immigration authorities.

How to Order a Report?
If your clients require an expert witness report, please contact me at info@thehuman-rights.com. Reports can be funded through Legal Aid, making them free of charge for applicants whose cases are supported by state legal assistance. For private requests, flexible payment terms are available.

Conclusion
An expert witness report is not just a document; it is a critical tool that can determine the success of a case. My role is to provide an objective analysis of the current situation, demonstrate the connection between general conditions in the country and the applicant’s personal story, and supply courts and immigration authorities with all the necessary evidence to make a fair decision.

Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to our future collaboration!

Maksim Kharitonov

Expert on the countries: Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

Specializes in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants, analyzing human rights and political repression in the CIS countries. Works with leading law firms in the USA, UK, and Europe.
✉️ Order an expert report: info@thehuman-rights.com
Migration System Profile:
► https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov
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