How you can help stop the horrifying attacks on gay men in Chechnya
News of the detainment and torture of more than 100 gay men in “concentration camps” in Chechnya continues to shock the global LGBT community.
Russian opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta broke the story earlier this month that more than 100 gay men have been detained “in connection with their non-traditional sexual orientation,” while three gay men are believed to have to died in connection the the “purge”.
Chechen government spokesman Alvi Karimov denied the claims, saying: “You can’t detain and harass someone who doesn’t exist in the republic.”
A spokesperson for the Kremlin also denied any knowledge of a purge.
Hundreds of LGBT activists took to the streets outside the Russian Embassy on Wednesday to protest and tell the UK and Russian governments that something has to be done.
What can you do to help?
1. Sign these petitions
Many LGBT organisations and activists across the world have launched petitions to call on the Russian authorities to stop the persecution of gay men in Chechnya.
An Amnesty International petition condemns the persecution and urges for immediate action to ensure the safety of the gay community.
2. Donate money
Give to organisations like the Russian LGBT Network , who are in a position to help the community directly.
3. Contact the Russian Embassy
Send letters, make phone calls, take to Facebook and tell them the brutalisation of gay men will not be tolerated.
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7229 6412
Post: 6/7 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QP
4. Contact your representatives
Whether you’re contacting a local MP or your state representatives in the US, pick up the phone, post a letter, send an email and urge them to speak up on the behalf of the global LGBT community.
5. Stay informed, share information, use your voice
Continue to inform yourself about the brutality. The louder our voices are the more the mainstream media will cover this issue.
Organise and join demonstrations, like the one in London this week.
Share information over social media using #CloseTheCamps and #Chechnya.
Share information with people in your lives who might not know what’s going on.
Together, we’re stronger.
