Crisis

New video details horrifying accounts of gay Chechen survivors

A new video produced by Human Rights First and The Russian Speaking American LGBT Association (RUSA LGBT) adds to the growing lot of sobering personal accounts of the atrocities gay men are facing in Chechnya.

“The video features stories from survivors of the Chechen camps who have made it out to safety. Read by gay Russian asylees in the United States, the messages, we hope, will drive home for viewers how horrifying the situation truly is,” says HRF.

Related: Hundreds gather in London to protest Chechen attacks on gay men

Human Rights First’s Shawn Gaylord added:

“Gay men are being treated like animals. They’re rounded up, they’re detained, they’re tortured, a few have been murdered. All of this has been inflicted upon them by the very people sworn to protect them. The world needs to act. We’re calling on the administration and Congress to speak out against these horrific human rights abuses. The stories coming from those lucky enough to survive and make it out are harrowing. We felt that by sharing them we could put this nightmare in perspective for the many people that have only read about it in a newspaper. We partnered with gay Russian men from the Russian-Speaking American LGBT Association because who better to share these accounts than those who have fled similar persecution. Our hope is that this will drive action, our hope is that it will help achieve justice.”

Watch below, and head here if you’re looking for ways you can help:

#EyesOnChechnya

Government forces in the Russian republic of Chechnya are abducting and torturing gay men. At least three were murdered. Hear these members of the Russian gay community read personal accounts from survivors and sign our petition urging the U.S. government to act http://bit.ly/2nEXmzJ #EyesOnChechnya RUSA LGBT – Russian-Speaking American LGBT Association

Posted by Human Rights First on Thursday, April 20, 2017

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