Oscar-winning actor Hilary Swank and action star Jean-Claude van Damme have been criticised for attending a lavish party in honour of Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov. Human rights organisations targeted the pair for agreeing to be part of the multimillion-pound event on a floating stage on the river Sunzha in the Chechen capital city, Grozny, last Wednesday. It bolsters his image and legitimises a brutal leader and his regime.
And getting paid to be part of such a lavish show in Chechnya trivialises the suffering of countless victims of human rights abuses there. According to the Hollywood Reporter , Swank and Van Damme were probably paid six-figure sums to attend the event. The action star went on stage and told his host: "I love you, Mr Kadyrov" , while Swank wished the leader a happy birthday and said she was honoured to be in the Chechen capital.
Swank came in for particular criticism because her manager had earlier told the Human Rights Foundation HRF she had no plans to attend the ceremony. Representatives for both figures have remained silent on the matter. Actors Eva Mendes and Kevin Costner declined invites to attend the event.
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