Five EU countries call on Moscow to protect homosexuals in Chechnya
Germany and four other EU countries called on Moscow to protect the LGBT community in Chechnya. In a letter addressed to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and his colleagues from France, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden expressed deep concern over the reports of international organizations about the situation in the Caucasian republic, AFP agency reported on Wednesday.
"We urge the Russian government to investigate horrendous accusations and guarantee the safety of activists and journalists who are conducting their own investigation," the message says. European ministers also urged Moscow to influence Chechen authorities to immediately stop repressions, provide all of the victims with the necessary assistance and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The document notes with concern that the meeting in April between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechnya's leader Ramzan Kadyrov did not lead to an investigation into what happened.
In early April, Novaya Gazeta published an article on the massive persecution of homosexuals in Chechnya. According to the newspaper, at least three people were killed while those suspected of non-traditional sexual orientation are kept in a secret prison where they are tortured and beaten. After that, the newspaper's editorial board began to receive threats from the Chechen clergy.
On May 2, German Chancellor Angela Merkel touched on the situation of homosexuals in Chechnya during the meeting in Sochi with the Russian President.