State Department Calls On Russia To Investigate Reports Of Murders Of Gay Men By Chechen Police

J. Lester Feder reports at Buzzfeed:

The US State Department has called on Russia to investigate reports that more than 100 LGBT people have recently been detained, tortured, or murdered in the region of Chechnya. “We urge the Russian government to conduct an independent and credible investigation into the alleged killings and mass arrests, and hold the perpetrators responsible,” a State Department official said in a statement provided to BuzzFeed News.

“We were likewise deeply disturbed by local authorities statements that apparently condone and even incite violence against LGBTI persons,” the statement said. “We are very concerned by the widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTI persons in Russia or any society. We call on the Russian government to protect all people from discrimination and violence, and allow the free exercise of the freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief.”

The Russia LGBT Network’s Svetlana Zakharova told BuzzFeed News that international pressure is important to getting a response from Russian authorities. “We believe that all kinds of international pressure is beneficial now, including diplomatic pressure,” Zakharova said. “The main hope is that killings, tortures and kidnappings will stop and will be investigated properly by the responsible authorities.”

Here’s the full statement from State Department:

We are aware of troubling reports that local authorities in the Republic of Chechnya have arrested or detained more than 100 men, as well as reports that three of those detained were killed. We condemn violence against any individuals based on their sexual orientation or any other basis.

We urge the Russian government to conduct an independent and credible investigation into the alleged killings and mass arrests, and hold the perpetrators responsible. We were likewise deeply disturbed by local authorities statements that apparently condone and even incite violence against LGBTI persons.

We are very concerned by the widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTI persons in Russia or any society. We call on the Russian government to protect all people from discrimination and violence, and allow the free exercise of the freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is scheduled to visit Moscow next week. The State Department declined to say if he will bring up LGBT issues during his visit. (Tipped by JMG reader Michael)