Gay men are being killed in Chechnya

Dear friends, A brutal attack against gay people is sweeping through Chechnya:more than 100 men were rounded up, tortured and beaten up on suspicion of being gay. Authorities are speaking out: the US State Department urged Russia to investigate these horrible crimes and the European Parliament strongly condemned them. Our partners are working hard to relocate those in danger, but there is still no indication an investigation will ever take place – unless we dial up the pressure. Would you join us in this fight? Thanks for going All Out, Matt and the All Out team. SOURCES: ● European Parliament condemns detention, torture and killings gay men in Chechnya – The European Parliament Intergroup on LGBTI Rights, 6 April 2017  ● State Dept. urges Russia to investigate gay Chechen men's arrests – Washington Blade, 5 April 2017 Previous email: -------------------

Luc, Gay men are being kidnapped and killed in Chechnya, Russia. Over the weekend, horrifying news broke that more than 100 men have been arrested under suspicion of being gay. There are reports of people being tortured, beaten, and forced to share information about other gay men in the region. At least three men have been murdered. The official response from Chechen authorities is that "gay people do not even exist in Chechnya." Luc – stand up for the Chechen 100 and demand that Russian authorities immediately investigate these atrocities. Chechnya is a Republic within Russia's borders, but often operates under its own rulings. Openly identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is practically unheard of, due to the deadly stigmas. Sources are reporting that the gay men who weren't murdered have been released to their families for "honour killings." This could be the biggest coordinated governmental attack on gay people in recent history, but it's not getting the media coverage it deserves. Partners on the ground are evacuating those still at risk, and they say the best thing we can do is get the word out and demand an investigation. The crimes these men have faced need to be heard. If thousands of us speak out, we can help put global pressure on Russia to investigate it. But we have to act quickly. Sign now to demand justice for the Chechen 100. Thanks for going All Out, Matt, Pamela, Leandro, Sarah, Yuri, and the rest of the All Out team. P.S. If you or someone you know in Chechnya is in need of urgent support, please contact the Russian LGBT Network by email. SOURCES: ● ︎Chechen police 'have rounded up more than 100 suspected gay men' – The Guardian, 2 April 2017  ● Chechen Authorities Arresting and Killing Gay Men, Russian Paper Says – The New York Times, 1 April 2017 Want to support All Out's ongoing work? Our tiny team stretches every dollar to make it count. DONATE TODAY

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