THEGAYUK

Tag: Russia News

Get the latest LGBT+ Russia news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from the gay community in Russia.

  • Chechen President: Eliminate All Gay Men By Ramadan

    The President of Chechnya has vowed to eliminate the LGBT community, by the end of May.

    Following the horrific details of gay men being detained, tortured and even killed, in the region, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov has said that he wants to eliminate gay men by the start of Ramadan. Up to a hundred men, suspected of being gay are being held, against their wills in what some media outlets have called “concentration camps”.

    Ramadan is a holy month in the Islamic faith and begins on the 26th May. Chechnya is a Muslim-majority country.

    According to a Russian newspaper, Novaya Gazeta,  men, suspected of being gay, disappeared overnight in the Russian Republic of Chechnya. Previously a spokesperson for the leader of the Republic denied the reports and claimed that gay people did not exist in the region.

     Speaking in Parliament, Sir Alan Duncan, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, said,

    “Human rights groups report that these anti-gay campaigns and killings are orchestrated by the head of the Chechen republic, Ramzan Kadyrov.

    “He has carried out other violent campaigns in the past, and this time he is directing his efforts at the LGBT community.

    “Sources have said that he wants the community eliminated by the start of Ramadan.”

    The minister added, “Such comments, attitudes and actions are absolutely beyond contemptible.”

    Ramzan Kadyrov allegedly made the threats on Russian media.

    Sir Alan, continued,

    “Credible reports suggesting that at least four people have been killed and many have been tortured are particularly shocking,

    ‘”Statements by the regional government in Chechnya which appear to condone and incite violence against LGBT people are utterly despicable.”

    FEARING FOR LIFE

    Last week, the journalist who broke the news about Chechyna’s purge on gay men revealed she was in hiding after the news reverberates across the globe. Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire show, Novaya Gazeta journalist Elena Milashina said that a “jihad” had been declared on her and the staff at her outlet after 15,000 people met in the biggest mosque in Chechnya and denounced the paper and journalists who published the original story.

  • Russia is no longer part of Eurovision

    Russia is out of Eurovision after the host nation, Ukraine said it would refuse entry to the Russian contestant.

    Russia will not be taking part in Eurovision 2017 after the Ukraine banned its entry, Julia Samoylova from entering the country. According to the EBU two solutions were offered to Russia’s Eurovision broadcast partner, Channel One and both were vetoed. Russia first performed at the Eurovision in 1994. This will be the first time it has not taken part in the competition.

    In a statement, the EBU said that Julia could take part via satellite or change their chosen artist to one that could legally travel to the Ukraine for the competition.

    The EBU stated,

    “Sadly both proposals have been rejected by Channel One and they have now announced they do not intend to broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Unfortunately this means Russia will no longer be able to take part in this year’s competition. We very much wanted all 43 countries to be able to participate and did all we could to achieve this”.

     

    Why Did The Ukraine Ban Russia’s Eurovision Entry?

    Ukraine law forbids entering Crimea in order to perform. According to sources around 140 other Russian artists have been blacklisted by the SBU following the annexation of Crimea last year. Julia Samoylova is one of those artists as she had previously travelled to Crimea to perform.

    Russia and Ukraine have been in dispute since the annexation of Crimea and the fighting in east Ukraine.

     

    Frank Dieter Freiling, Chairman of the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group, the event’s steering committee, said,

    “We strongly condemn the Ukrainian authorities’ decision to impose a travel ban on Julia Samoylova as we believe it thoroughly undermines the integrity and non-political nature of the Eurovision Song Contest and its mission to bring all nations together in friendly competition. However, preparations continue apace for the Eurovision Song Contest in the host city Kyiv. Our top priority remains to produce a spectacular Eurovision Song Contest with our Member UA:PBC in May.”

  • Journalist who broke Chechen gay torture news is in hiding after ‘jihad’ death threats

    The journalist who broke the news about Chechyna’s purge on gay men is in hiding after the news reverberates across the globe.

    The Russian journalist who is responsible for breaking the news that Chechen officials had rounded up, tortured and detained men suspected of being gay, has said that she is in hiding and fearing for her life after a “jihad was declared against her”.

    Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire show, Novaya Gazeta journalist Elena Milashina said that a jihad had been declared on her and the staff at her outlet after 15,000 people met in the biggest mosque in Chechnya and denounced the paper and journalists who published the original story.

    She said,

    “They reacted [to the story] in a terrifying manner… on April 3, in the biggest mosque in Grozny, 15,000 religious and various types of people came together and announced a Jihad on us… not just me personally, but all journalists at Novaya Gazeta.

    “They said the people at the newspaper who raised this question have damaged the honour of Chechen nation and should be prosecuted.”

    A spokesperson for Chechnya’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov, said, that the report was “lies and disinformation” and claimed that gay people did not “exist in the republic”. The report was even dismissed as a sick April Fool’s joke, by the region’s interior ministry.

    As information continued to circulate about the mass rounding up and detaining of gay men in Chechnya, being referred to as a “gay purge” Baroness Anelay released a statement calling on Russia to investigate the claims.

    The UK’s Prime Minister, Theresa May has yet to speak out against the action.

  • UKIP leader Paul Nuttall condemns the Chechen treatment of gay men

    UKIP’s leader Paul Nuttall has strongly condemned the persecution of gay men in Chechnya.

    Paul Nuttall, the UKIP leader has today strongly condemned the actions of Chechen authorities and the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, after over a hundred gay men were round up, detained and tortured in what some media outlets termed, “concentration camps”.

    Paul Nuttall said,

    “If these reports are true, and it looks like they are, then the Government must protest in the strongest manner.

    “Just because the warlord of this Islamic fiefdom is an ally of Putin should not blind us to the horrific abuse of human rights being perpetrated.

    “Putin claims to oppose Isis and its blend of fundamentalism in Syria but seems to be impervious to decency. He has the power to stop this inhumanity. The Government should demand that he does.”

  • UK Government condemns persecution of gay men in Chechnya

    The UK’s Foreign office has called on Russia to investigate the mass detention of gay men in Chechnya.

    • Baroness Anelay is “concerned” over reports of 100 men abducted and held against their will.

    • Government condemns any and all persecution UK.

    • Reminds Russia of its international human rights obligations which require them to protect citizens.

    As information continues to circulate about the mass rounding up and detaining of gay men in Chechnya, Baroness Anelay has released a statement calling on Russia to investigate the claims.

    Baroness Anelay said:

    “The detention and ill-treatment of over 100 gay men in Chechnya is extremely concerning. Reports have also suggested that at least three of these men have been killed. The statement by the regional Government, implying that such treatment towards LGBT people is acceptable, is particularly abhorrent. We condemn any and all persecution, and call on the authorities to promptly investigate and ensure that perpetrators of human rights abuses are brought to justice.

    “The human rights situation for LGBT people in Russia has deteriorated significantly in recent years and we continue to voice our serious concern with Russian authorities at all levels. Russia’s international human rights obligations require them to protect citizens who may be at risk of persecution. We expect the Russian government to fulfill its obligations to this end, and to uphold the rule of law.”

    Today a protest has been organised outside the Russian Embassy to show solidarity with men being held in what some media outlets have called “concentration camps” in Chechnya.

    Up to a hundred men, suspected of being gay are being held, against their wills. There have been reports of torture and three killings.

    According to a Russian newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, last week, men, suspected of being gay, disappeared overnight in the Russian Republic of Chechnya. A spokesperson for the leader of the Republic denied the reports and claimed that gay people did not exist in the region.

    This aggression against gay men reportedly began after an LGBT organisation applied for the rights to march in the capital of Grozny.

  • Leading Muslim LGBT charity condemns Chechen “concentration camps” for gay men

    Britain’s leading LGBT charity for Muslims has condemned the reported actions of Chechen officials rounding up gay men and placing them into “concentration camps”.

    Imaan LGBTQ has strongly condemned the actions of officials in Chechnya after it was revealed that 100 men suspected of being gay were rounded up, tortured and placed in camps in the Muslim-majority Republic.

    Taking to Twitter the group said that they, “condemn the reported actions of the Chechen authorities against its LGBT population”.

    The group then called upon fellow Muslims everywhere to do the same.

    Some are linking the recent alleged actions undertaken by government officials with having a religious undertone.

    According to Wikipedia,

    “Chechnya under Moscow-backed authoritarian rule of Ramzan Kadyrov has undergone its own controversial counter-campaign of Islamization of the republic, with the local government actively promoting and enforcing their own version of a so-called “traditional Islam”, including introducing elements of Sharia that replaced Russian official laws”.

    As of the 2010 Census, Muslim Chechens, at 1,206,551 people make up 95.3% of the republic’s population.

  • Tim Farron condemns the “horrifying” Chechen treatment of gay men

    Tim Farron has commented on the detention and torture of gay men in Chechnya.

    Commenting on reports that Chechnya has opened concentration camps for gay men, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said:

    “These reports from Chechnya are truly horrifying, and represent an extreme manifestation of increasing homophobic brutality and intolerance in Putin’s Russia.

    “The UK government must strongly condemn this disgusting violence, and use every possibly opportunity to raise this with the Russian government, as well as in the UN and other international bodies.

    “The UK must work with those who share our values to stop the mindless targeting of the LGBT community, which is still prevalent in too many countries across the world. Only through defending universal human rights will we ever hope to achieve a world in which every person can live, work and flourish without discrimination.

    “It is disappointing that Boris Johnson has failed to stand up for these people by not visiting Russia after Trump told him to stay at home.”

  • Protest organised against Chechnya “concentration camp” for gay men

    People are being urged to join a protest outside the Russian Embassy to show solidarity to men being held in “concentration camps” in Chechnya.

    Up to a hundred men, suspected of being gay are being held, against their wills, in what some media outlets are describing as “concentration camps”. A protest has been organised outside the Russian embassy in London.

    Steve Taylor who is organising the protest wrote,

    “The world’s media are reporting that gay men (and presumably other members of the LBT+ community) are being arbitrarily detained and killed in Chechnya. Other reports say that a ‘concentration camp’ has been established in the Chechen town of Argun.

    “London fails if it does not challenge this inhumanity. We MUST stand up to this. Bring banners, flags and most importantly bring yourselves to challenge this oppression and show solidarity with LGBT+ people in Russia.

    “It will be a PEACEFUL and LEGAL protest. The Metropolitan Police have been informed and we will work with them in coming hours to ensure a safe event.”

    According to a Russian newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, last week, men, suspected of being gay, disappeared overnight in the Russian Republic of Chechnya. A spokesperson for the leader of the Republic denied the reports and claimed that gay people did not exist in the region.

    This aggression against gay men reportedly began after an LGBT organisation applied for the rights to march in the capital of Grozny.

    The protest will take place near the Russian Embassy on the junction of Bayswater Road and Ossington Street. Met officers will be there for public safety. 5:30 PM. Find out more here.

     

  • Chechnya opens “concentration camp” for gay men

    Disturbing reports are emerging that Chechnya officials have opened a “concentration camp” for gay people after 100 men were allegedly rounded up last week.

    Gay men who were rounded up in Chechnya last week are reportedly being kept, locked up in a “camp”, separated from their families, homes and friends. There have been reports of murders and torture.

    According to a Russian newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, last week, men, suspected of being gay, disappeared overnight in the Muslim-majority Russian Republic of Chechnya.

    A spokesperson for Chechnya’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov, said, that the report was “lies and disinformation” and claimed that gay people did not “exist in the republic”. The report was even dismissed as a sick April Fool’s joke, by the region’s interior ministry.

    Now, new reports are suggesting that the men who were captured are being held in “concentration camps”, the first in Europe since the second world war.

    This aggression against gay men reportedly began after an LGBT organisation applied for the rights to march in the capital of Grozny.

    The Republic is known for being very conservative and has a Sunni Muslim majority population. LGBT people who come out are often shunned by their families. Chechnya is formally part of Russia, but functions ostensibly, as an independent state, taking many of Russia’s laws as its own, including Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law, which it passed in 2013.

    RESCUE PLAN?

    Russian group LGBT Network said,

    “No national and/or religious traditions and norms can justify kidnapping or killing of a human being. Any references to ‘traditions’ to justify kidnappings and killings are amoral and criminal”.

    They added,

    “The Russian LGBT Network is ready to evacuate people”.

     

    Svetlana Zakharova, from the Russian LGBT Network, told MailOnline:

    “Gay people have been detained and rounded up and we are working to evacuate people from the camps and some have now left the region.”

    It has not been possible to verify these claims.

  • Gay men “round up” in Chechnya, three reportedly killed

    More than 100 men, suspected of being gay, have been allegedly rounded up and subjected to torture in Chechnya.

     

    According to a Russian newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, dozens of men, suspected of being gay, have disappeared in the Muslim-majority Russian Republic of Chechnya. Three have reportedly been murdered.

    Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Chechnya’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov, said, that the report was “lies and disinformation” and claimed that gay people did not “exist in the republic”. The report was even dismissed as a sick April Fool’s joke, by the region’s interior ministry.

    The Republic is known for being very conservative and has a Sunni Muslim majority population. LGBT people who come out are often shunned by their families. Chechnya is formally part of Russia, but functions ostensibly, as an independent state, taking many of Russia’s laws as its own, including Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law, which it passed in 2013.

    Amongst the missing are two television reporters and at least one religious leader.

    The men had been detained in “connection with their nontraditional sexual orientation, or suspicion of such,” Novaya Gazeta reported.

    According to The Independent Tatyana Lokshina of the Human Rights Watch in Moscow said,

    “It’s a vicious attack against LGBT people. It’s happened for several weeks under order of leadership,”

    She revealed that many of the men had been tortured and humiliated. She said that there had been reports that three had been killed.

     

     

  • Russia just made Power Rangers an 18 thanks to gay character

    Have you ever thought of the Power Rangers as an X-rated or adult show? No? Well then maybe you wanna move to Russia, where the bar has been set at an all-time low.

    Russian officials have slapped an 18 certificate on the Power Rangers film because it now includes a lesbian/questioning/bisexual/curious character played by Becky G.

    The rating was introduced after one of Russia’s most vociferously anti-gay politicians, Vitaly Milonov, lobbied for the film to be given the highest rating by WDSSPR, the Russian distributor of the film. Milonov even argued that the film should be shown in Russia because it promoted “perverted sexual relations”.

    Clearly, Vitaly Milonov has a real bee in his bonnet with any content on TV that has the slightest bit of campery or gayness in it.  In 2014 he called the Eurovision Song Contest “the sodom show” and branded Stephen Fry “sick” in 2013.

    In the US the film received a PG13 and in the UK it received a PG rating.