The California Assembly Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning anti-LGBT violence in Chechnya and called on the Trump administration and Congress to take action.
Assembly Joint Resolution 16 condemns the government-sanctioned persecution, torture, and murder of gay men in the Chechen Republic and encourages the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to grant asylum and refugee status for people fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a news release from gay Assemblyman Evan Low’s (D-Campbell) office Monday.
The resolution was authored by Low, chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, and Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (R-Templeton).
The release cited reports from Human Rights Watch describing the kidnapping and torture of more than 100 suspected gay men and reported alleged deaths of at least three men at the hands of Chechen police. The arrests and detainment of the men in December and March came to light in April with an investigative piece published by Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov denied the detainment of gay men by authorities and the existence of LGBT people in his state.
Several human rights groups have condemned the disappearances and urged Congress to grant asylum to those fleeing persecution.
Assembly Joint Resolution 16 adds California’s voice to the international outcry.
“We are all deeply disturbed by the reports of abuse, kidnapping, and murder of LGBT people living in Chechnya,” said Low. “Violence against one of us is violence against us all. We must take action immediately to condemn this horrific abuse.”
Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California, said, “The United States must condemn in no uncertain terms and put the full force of our diplomatic efforts to end the horrific treatment and killing of gay men in Chechnya.”
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to investigate the situation, following international pressure, including protests in San Francisco. However, Gay Star News reported that Russian LGBT activists have warned that officials put in charge of looking into the matter might not fulfill those promises because of resistance.
In another matter, the European Court for Human Rights last week ruled that Russia’s anti-homosexuality propaganda law violated the right to freedom and expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The three gay activists – Nikolai Alexeyev, Nikolai Bayev and Alexei Kiselyov – who filed the lawsuit were awarded $55,000 total.
“By adopting such laws the authorities reinforce stigma and prejudice and encourage homophobia, which is incompatible with the notions of equality, pluralism and tolerance inherent in a democratic society,” the seven-judge panel said in the ruling, according to media reports.
Got international LGBT news tips? Contact Heather Cassell at oitwnews@gmail.com.
