Statement on attack’s on LGBTQI individuals in Chechnya.

Ógra Shinn Féin LGBTQI+ Officer, Niall Polland has said that the Irish Government must condemn the homophobic attacks in Chechnya, and raise the issue with foreign counterparts.

Niall Polland said:

“Over the last couple of weeks, there have been reports of a second campaign of hatred and torture against LGBT individuals in Chechnya. 

Authorities have arrested hundreds of gay men, as part of a co-ordinated campaign involving the use of internment camps and electric shock torture. Reports have also stated that two men have been killed, with the possibility of this figure rising.

Ógra Shinn Féín condemn these attacks in the strongest words possible. We call for quick, direct action to be taken that ensures the safety of LGBT individuals that may be at risk in Chechnya, because of their sexual orientation.

We call on the, Irish government to condemn these attacks, and An Tánaiste, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, to raise this issue with his Russian, and European counterparts.

Any discrimination faced by the LGBT community around the world should be condemned internationally. This occasion is no different. 

The deafening silence of the world media, and international governments need to be challenged. An Irish Government that actively promotes LGBT equality at home, but stands idly by when LGBT individuals suffer torture because of their sexual orientation, is not one that can call themselves champions of equality. 

50 years on since brave activists took a stand at stonewall, these appalling events highlight that the struggle for liberation isn’t over.”