|
Emerging from Iraq: Reports of kidnapping and murder of Gay and Lesbian
people |
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has today
received reports from Iraq of a wave of targeted killings of individuals
who are perceived to be gay or lesbian. According to Iraqi human rights
activists, in early February 2012, an unidentified group posted death
threats against "the adulterous individuals" in the pre-dominantly Shiite
neighborhoods of Baghdad and Basra. The threats gave the individuals,
whose names and ages were listed, four days to stop their behavior or else
face the wrath of God, and were to be carried out by the Mujahedin.
According to sources inside Iraq, as the result of this new surge of
anti-gay violence close to 40 people have been kidnapped, brutally
tortured and murdered. The Iraqi authorities have neither responded to
this targeted violence nor have they publically denounced it. It is widely
believed that these atrocities are being committed by a group of the
Shiite militia.
Statement from Cary Alan Johnson, Executive Director, International Gay
and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Today the Government of Iraq represents a fully sovereign and democratic
country. As such, it must protect all of its citizens including lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender people from hate-filled violence and death
at the hands of armed militias. Vigilantes who perpetuate the targeted
killing of those perceived to be gay or lesbian must not be tolerated in a
new Iraq. We have seen these atrocities before. In 2009 vigilantes
murdered hundreds of Iraqi individuals for their perceived sexual
orientation. There are no excuses for such heinous human rights
violations. We demand that the Iraqi Government put a stop to the wanton
persecution and killing of gay people, and that the perpetrators
punished.
Statement from Hossein Alizadeh, Middle East and North Africa Program
Coordinator, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
The Iraqi government is responsible for the protection of all Iraqi
citizens, including the members of the gay and lesbian community. We call
on the Iraqi authorities to immediately intervene to protect the lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender community and to bring to justice those who
are responsible for these atrocities. We particularly demand the Iraqi
Ministry of Human Rights denounce the anti-gay violence in Iraq and launch
an official investigation into these heinous crimes.
For background regarding incidents in 2009 go to:
http://www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/article/takeaction/partners/889.html
http://www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/article/pressroom/multimediaarchives/961.html
*****
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC),
founded in 1990, is a leading international human rights organization
dedicated to improving the lives of people who experience discrimination
or abuse on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression. We are dedicated to strengthening the capacity of the LGBT
human rights movement worldwide to conduct documentation of LGBT human
rights violations and by engaging in human rights advocacy with partners
around the globe. We work with the United Nations, regional human rights
monitoring bodies and civil society partners. IGLHRC holds consultative
status at the United Nations as a recognized Non-Governmental Organization
representing the concerns and human rights of lesbian, gay bisexual and
transgender people worldwide. For more information visit: www.iglhrc.org.
Share on Facebook
Share on Delicious
Share on StumbleUpon!
|
|
|
Death of Missoula bar owner remains a mystery
------------------------------
Marriage equality ballot title challenged in court
------------------------------
New study highlights condom use in young Gay and Bi men
------------------------------
Sally Clark is first Gay City Council president -
Clark speaks about her life and Gay marriage
------------------------------
Righting a wrong: Customers rally behind a Gay couple who refused to accept discrimination
------------------------------
R Place: Exciting changes coming for community staple
------------------------------
Nat Williams, 1948-2012
------------------------------
JFK makes me want to puke, Santorum says
------------------------------
International Women's Day celebrates culture, action, solidarity
------------------------------
Cardinal Dolan tries to paint the town red but fails
------------------------------
Lesbians charged with anti-Gay hate crime
------------------------------
Brits offer free HIV meds to foreigners
------------------------------
Mayors for the Freedom to Marry campaign more than doubles
------------------------------
Andrew Breitbart is dead
------------------------------
Support for marriage takes a big jump in California, new poll says
------------------------------
------------------------------
BREAKING NEWS
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
HRC's Incoming President, Chad Griffin: "This is the grandest, most exciting opportunity of my life."
------------------------------
Archdiocese defends gay firing
------------------------------
Santorum and the Sexual Revolution
|