On February 13, the statement of the UN experts regarding renewed persecution of LGBT in Chechnya was published. The experts urged the Russian authorities to protect the rights of people who are, or are perceived to be, lesbian, gay or bisexual in Chechnya, and investigate allegations of human rights abuses including two reported deaths.
Executive Director of the Russian LGBT Network Igor Kochetkov filed a complaint regarding the new wave of LGBT persecution in Chechnya to the Investigative Committee of Russia. In his complaint, Kochetkov asked to investigate information about illegal detention of at least 14 people, tortures and a murder.
The Russian LGBT Network activated evacuation of the survivors of a new wave of LGBT persecution in Chechnya. The victims of the new wave confirm the wide-scale character of persecution. They also witness that persecution started already in the beginning of December 2018, and that people are detained in the police offices of not only Argun, but also Grozny.
52 Russian and International human rights organizations (including the Russian LGBT Network) signed the statement about the fact that Russia jeopardize online freedoms all over the world. The representative of Article 19 delivered the Statement at the session of the UN Human Rights Council in Genève.
On May 19th, GENDERDOC-M organized the annual march of equality in Chișinău, under the campaign Fără Frică de Iubire(Without the fear to love). However, unlike the last years’ experience, the march that included approximately 350 participants was able to reach its destination without being attacked and evacuated halfway through the route. The Ministry of Interior provided all necessary protections for the participants and despite the aggressive outbursts of the counter-protestors, the Pride march was not exposed to any violence.
A year has passed since the publication of first testimonies of LGBT people that faced persecution in Chechnya based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. However the unlawful detentions, humiliation and torture of LGBT people in Northern Caucasus persist. There are some things one can do to support the victims of the state-organized persecutions of LGBT in Chechnya.
