Most have no broad popular base. The few trade unions that exist are small and powerless. The lack of rule of law remains a serious problem. In October, the Shari'a Court said it was opposed to the return of a constitutional court, which was disbanded in 1993 after it sided with parliament in its conflict with President Dudayev. The Shari'a Court has shown some independence from the executive.
Lower courts are corrupt.
Citizens face threats from government forces, criminal gangs, powerful clans, and warlords, many of whom operate with impunity. Only about 50,000 ethnic Russians remain in Chechnya, most of them pensioners or the infirm. Most face severe financial hardship as well as intimidation and harassment. Muslims enjoy religious freedom, though the Wahhabi sect was banned in July. In March, Chechen lawmakers extended women's suffrage to bring women's voting rights closer to men's.