The Wrongs of Passage: Inhuman and Degrading Treatment of New Recruits in the
Russian Armed Forces
Update:
A gruesome case of hazing on December 31, 2005, which resulted in a conscript
needing to have his legs and genitals amputated, once again pushed violent
hazing in Russia’s military into the spotlight. The Ministry of Defense
belatedly took steps to address this case, but it maintains that violent hazing
is not a widespread problem in Russia’s military. In fact, though, the
practice of hazing has resulted in the death of dozens of young soldiers every
year, and serious damage to the physical and mental health of thousands of
others.
Acknowledgements
Executive Summary
Background: The Story of One Conscript
Initiation Practices and Human Rights
Dedovshchina Abuses: An Overview
The Consequences of Dedovshchina
Dedovshchina and the Role of Officers
Accountability
Recommendations
Glossary
Vol. 16, No. 8(D) October 2004
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