#StopLGBTpersecution
in CHECHNYA and DONBAS
Violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity are sadly still common phenomena. Many are in need of support, international solidarity, and protection. Recently, the situation in Eastern Europe has been most acute in Chechnya and in parts of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts of Ukraine that are controlled by puppet governments
The situations in these places are in many ways similar: extrajudicial detentions and arrests, threats, torture, blackmail – and denial of these occurrences and even the very possibility that LGBT people could exist in these regions. LGBT people who have not been able to leave these areas must lie low, hide their relationships, and live in constant fear of exposure and repressions. Not everyone can leave – someone always remains, someone is born and grows up in an atmosphere of authoritarian regimes, terror, and discrimination.
The human rights organizations Anti-Discrimination Center Memorial and the Center for Civil Liberties, FIDH call upon anyone who values human rights and cannot tolerate discriminatory violence to join the campaign #StopLGBTpersecution in CHECHNYA and DONBAS by sending photos, video addresses, and pictures in defense of the rights of people who are suffering now.
The goal of our campaign is to collect as many similar expressions of solidarity as possible and to stand up against the unrestrained and rampant violence of self-proclaimed governments and authoritarian rulers in the region, where international law should reign.
If all these statements in defense of the rights to self-determination, human dignity, and non-discriminatory treatment are collected in one place, they should become a demonstration not just of support and sympathy, but also of a readiness to combat lawlessness and lies.
As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Rights at the European Parliament, I support the campaign #StopLGBTpersecution. I strongly condemn discrimination on the basis of person's sexual orientation or gender identity: the information that we receive about arbitrary arrests, torture, threats to life and black-mailing of LGBT in Chechnya and Donbas is very worrying. Discrimination and violence based on Sexual Orientation or Gender IdentityI are unacceptable, we'll insist on investigation of every alarming case and full stop of persecution of LGBT-persons by the local power-agents.
Mr. Pier-Antonio PANZERI, Member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialist and Democrats in the European Parliament, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Member of the Conference of Committee Chairs, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Member of the Intergroup on LGBTI rightsof the European Parliament
I stand in solidarity with LGBT people in Chechnya and Donbas. #StopLGBTpersecution with @fidh_en @adcmemorial
Jane BIRKIN, actress and singer (Great Britain, France)
The situation in Chechnya is a human rights crisis and must be met by a robust international response.I hope the Parliament comes together to condemn this persecution and send the strong message that there can be no justification for the detention, torture and murder of innocent people or systematic discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.Crimes have been committed and those responsible must be identified and brought to justice.
Mr. Ian DUNCAN British Conservative Member of the European Parliament, Vice President of the Intergroup on LGBTI rights of the European Parliament
In Chechnya and Donbas, brotherhood, solidarity, support and friendship to all persecuted LGBT. This has to stop immediately!
Jonathan Littell,
French-American writer, Prix Goncourt 2006 for The Kindly Ones (2006; Les Bienveillantes), also author of "Chechnya, Year III" (2009) and Syrian Notebooks: Inside the Homs uprising, 2015
Littell directed a documentary titled Wrong Elements, out of competition at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
The words of authorities have revealed the dangers that LGBTI people face in Chechnya. Many cannot even trust their own relatives, as they risk falling victim to "honour killings". The recent persecution by authorities have made LGBTI people even more vulnerable. We condemn this horrible act of cruelty against supposedly gay men and we demand an investigation and that the regime takes measures to protect LGBTI people. This violent homophobia needs to stop! Discrimination against LGBTI people is unacceptable, and we have to fight this inside as well as outside of the EU.
Ms. Ulrike LUNACEK, Member of Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Vice-president of the European Parliament, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, President of the Intergroup on LGBTI Rights of the European Parliament
I am deeply worried about the detention and torture of gay men in Chechnya. These serious human rights violations have to be investigated. #StopLGBTpersecution
Ms. Heidi HAUTALA, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance political group, Member of the Committee on Development,Member of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, Substitute to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, Member of the Intergroup on LGBTI rights of the European Parliament
Ms. Sylvie GUILLAUME, Member of Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Vice president of the European Parliament, Member of the Intergroup on LGBTI rights of the European Parliament
Ms. Merja KYLLÖNEN, Member of the Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left political group at the European Parliament, Member of the Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, Member of the Intergroup on LGBTI rights of the European Parliament
Mr. Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe political group, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Member of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Substitute at the Delegation of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly
Dan Van Raemdonck, FIDH Secretary General, Honorary President of the LDH (Francophone Belgium), Professor in Université Libre de Bruxelles & Vrije Universiteit Brussel, PhD in in philosophy and literature. Founder of international research platform called GRAMM-R
Ms. Christine REVAULT D’ALLONNES BONNEFOY, Member of the European Parliament, Head of the French Socialist delegation at the European Parliament
Michael Youn, French actor, singer, comedian, scriptwriter, film director.
Lambert Wilson, French actor
The objects of xenophobia in different times and epochs were either people who practiced “wrong” religion, or people of another skin color, or people having “other” convictions and “another” world view that differed from mainstream one, - and this is the most bright and clear example of dark, aggressive archaic.
Nowadays, this primitive xenophobia appears in a form of wild, hysterical homophobia. Contemporary civilized mankind, after moving through endless series of self-destroying prejudices and superstitions, through bloody wars and crimes, went to the understanding that the sovereign right of people to be different from each other is a ground of our world. This contemporary world is based not only on mutual tolerance, but on friendly curiosity towards the “other’. Not hate, not suspicion – but trying to understand and readiness to defend those who are under repression and aggression.
To oppose, with all possible legitimate tools, the wild archaic that can base only on force and dark superstitions, - this is not only our right, but the duty of people belonging to the contemporary world, that is our duty.
Lev Rubinstein, Russian poet and writer, winner of the Biely Price in 1999
Ana GOMES, Member of Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Substitute of Committee on Foreign Affairs, Substitute of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Member of the Integroup on LGBTI rights of the European Parliament
I strongly support #StopLGBTpersecution campaign and urge the authorities to launch a full investigaiton of the atrocities. The rule of terror must stop and the perpetrators have to face justice as soon as possible!
Lana Estemirova, daughter of the Chechenian Human Rights defender Natalia Estemirova who was killed in 2009 for her counteraction to Human Rights violations in Chechnya; author of the article "In macho Chechnya, being gay is an act of intolerable rebellion"
There is frivolity and entertainment but let's not forget that hatred and horror remain, not far from us.
Christophe Willem, French singer, winner of the 2006 song contest « La nouvelle Star » (French Pop Idol), winner of the French award ceremony “Victoires de la musique” in 2008
Estelle Lefébure, French model and actress
I support you, dear friends!
Vladimir Mirzoev, theatre and movie director (Russia)
We are members of the Parliament of Drenthe, in the North of the Netherlands. Our province became a so called ‘Rainbow province’ last year, the first in the Netherlands, the first in Europe. We are very proud of this and it means that we, as members of the Parliament of Drenthe from different political parties, support the LGBTI community and diversity anywhere. We too are deeply worried about the prosecution of gay men in Chechnya and Donbas and we call upon the international (political) community to take steps to stop this. #stopLGBTprosecution
From left to right
Henk Nijmeijer – GroenLinks (Green Left), Hans Kuipers - GroenLinks (Green Left), Ralph du Long – PvdA (Social Democrat Labour Party), Louise Smits – SP (Socialist Party), Jurr van Dalen – D66 (Liberal Democrats), Henk Pragt – D66 (Liberal Democrats)
Alexandra Matviychuk, director of the Center for Civil Liberties (Ukraine)
Alexandra Surgan, journalist of the Crimean Tatar radio «Meydan», volunteer campaign 'Let my people go' (Ukraine)
Olga Afanasyeva, mother of former political prisoner Gennady Afanasyev (Ukraine)
In June 2017, the mayor of the 11th district of Paris initiated placing the symbol of the campaign in support of LGBT in Chechnya and Donbas on the local city-hall building
Amnesty International Ukraine joined the campaign against homophobia in Chechnya and Donbas #StopLGBTpersecution
“We express our solidarity and support to LGBTIQ people in Chechnya and Donbas who are victim of oppression and violence. The repression must stop, and the guilty parties must be brought to justice. Homophobic violence threatens LGBTIQ on a daily basis in Chechnya and in uncontrolled territories of Donbas in Ukraine. Along with the campaign #StopLGBTpersecution we seek to draw attention on the situation and support the victims”.
Oksana Pokalchuk, Amnesty International Ukraine