Human Rights Activists: Security Forces in Vitsyebsk Region Withhold Search Records, Citing “Personal Data Confidentiality”

In the Vitsyebsk Region, security officers are refusing to provide copies of search records, citing alleged violations of “personal information confidentiality”. The Vitsyebsk Spring human rights group reports several such cases.

According to the human rights activists, security officers have recently refused several residents of the region copies of search records and inventories of seized items, arguing that the documents contain officers’ personal data and that handing them over would therefore violate the confidentiality of personal information.

A search record is the only official document confirming that a search took place. It contains a complete list of seized items and records any objections made, the human rights activists note. The document contains only the names, surnames and job titles of the officers who conducted the search, not their home addresses.

Without a copy of the search record, there is a risk that confiscated items could be substituted or lost, making it difficult to recover the property. A person is also deprived of the right to appeal against the actions of law enforcement officers.