Worldwide Information Blogger Luc Schrijvers: We're being threatened for our work in Chechnya

maandag 4 februari 2019

We're being threatened for our work in Chechnya

Dear friends,

My life and safety have been personally threatened by men in Chechnya. They want my organisation, The Russian LGBT Network, to stop the work we're doing to evacuate LGBT+ people whose lives are in danger.

But we're not backing down. Last week, I personally filed a criminal complaint against Chechen authorities for the arrest, torture, and murder of LGBT+ people in the country.

I'm committed to doing everything possible to fight for those being terrorized. But we desperately need your help.

So far, All Out members have donated enough to relocate about six people in danger of being detained and tortured, or who managed to escape detainment and urgently need to leave the country.

But we're seeing no signs of this persecution stopping. At least 14 people are being detained and tortured at a police station in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya.

Your donation will save lives. Please, donate today to help fund the emergency evacuation of LGBT+ people in Chechnya.

Thank you so much for your support,
Igor

SOURCES:
● Chechnya anti-gay purge: LGBT activists file criminal complaint amid threats – PinkNews, 30 January 2019
● What’s really happening in Chechnya right now? – i-D, 29 January 2019

Previous email:
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Dear friends –

The latest wave of anti-LGBT+ attacks in Chechnya is even worse than we thought.

At least 40 people have been arrested under "suspicion" of being LGBT+ since the beginning of December. They're humiliated and beaten. At least 2 people have been murdered.

Now, we've learned from one survivor that the torture has escalated – detainees are being raped with electric shock sticks by law enforcement officers. They're being starved and given only mop water to drink.

My organization – the Russian LGBT Network – is partnering with All Out to fund the emergency evacuation of LGBT+ people in Chechnya and we urgently need your help.

Friends – donate today to help us get more at-risk LGBT+ people to safety before it's too late.

Those who manage to avoid arrest continue to face terrifying persecution. Chechen officials have repeatedly encouraged people to commit "honour killings" against their LGBT+ family members.

People who are imprisoned are often tortured until they "out" other LGBT+ people, who are then arrested and tortured themselves.

What is happening in Chechnya is an unprecedented attack on LGBT+ lives. This shouldn't be happening.

My colleagues and I have been working day and night for the safety of these people. More and more requests for help have been coming through our helpline every day. Frankly, I'm terrified. But I'm not going to give up.

With the help of All Out members, we evacuated 150 people in danger of persecution during Chechnya's 2017 anti-LGBT+ purge. Our team can complete another emergency evacuation quickly. We just need the funding to do it.

Lives depend on us acting quickly. Please, donate today.

In solidarity,
Igor Kochetkov
Russia LGBT Network

P.S. If you need to contact the Russian LGBT Network for help, or know someone who does, our emergency helpline can be reached at 8-800-555-7374 or kavkaz@lgbtnet.org.

SOURCES:

● Russian LGBT Network started evacuation from Chechnya – Russian LGBT Network, 21 January 2019
● Activists say they are helping people flee new anti-gay purge in Chechnya – ABC News, 21 January 2019
● Survivors claim Chechen authorities rape LGBT prisoners with electric shock sticks – Vice News, 21 January 2019