Tag: torture

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French President Macron To Putin: We Need “Complete Truth” Regarding Torture Of Gay Men In Chechnya

President Putin of Russia (L), President Macron of France (R)

While President Trump has yet to address the horrific torture of gay men in Chechnya, newly-elected French President Macron brought up the subject immédiatement in his first face to face meeting with Russian President Putin.

From the New York Times:

On human rights, Mr. Macron said he had raised the troubles facing gay and transgender people in Chechnya as well as those of nongovernmental organizations.

Mr. Macron said that he had discussed the reports of collective punishment of gay men in Chechnya with Mr. Putin and that they had agreed on a “very regular monitoring” of the situation.

Mr. Macron said Mr. Putin had told him he had taken measures to “establish the complete truth on the activities of local authorities” in Chechnya, but he did not specify what those measures were. Chechnya is under the control of a pro-Kremlin leader, Ramzan A. Kadyrov.

“As for me, I will be constantly vigilant on these issues, which are in keeping with our values,” Mr. Macron said.

Although he did not dispute Mr. Macron’s characterization, Mr. Putin did not mention gay people during the news conference.

In related news, Joël Deumier, president of French LGBT rights organization SOS Homophobie, told FranceInfo that France has started taking in gay refugees from Chechnya.

Earlier this month, Buzzfeed reported that the U.S. State Department has denied visas to gay Chechens fleeing persecution.

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Human Rights Watch Reports On Beatings & Electrocution Of Gay Men In Chechnya

President Ramzan Kadyrov of Chechen Republic

Human Rights Watch has published a report detailing the horrific treatment and torture of gay men in Chechnya.

According to the report, the speaker of Chechnya’s parliament, Magomed Daudov, was involved in authorizing the violence.

Radio Free Europe details the torture ranging from beatings to electrocution devices.

“All of the victims suffered repeated beatings,” the report said. “Security officials kicked them with booted feet, beat them with polypropylene pipes and sticks, and made other inmates beat them” — mostly on the men’s buttocks and legs.

“They put you face down on the floor and beat you with pipes,” one victim told Human Rights Watch. “Then they force other prisoners [held for allegedly supporting insurgents or for alleged drug offenses] to carry on with the beating. Each man gets some 70 to 80 blows. And so it goes…. And you literally turn black and blue from waist to toes.”

The rights group says local Chechen authorities also used electrocution devices to torture the victims.

Former detainees described those devices as machines with a knob on one side and wires sticking out of it with metal clips at the ends — clips which were attached to the victims’ fingers, toes, and earlobes.

“They turn the knob, electric current hits you, and you start shaking,” a former detainee told Human Rights Watch. “And they keep turning the hellish machine, and the pain is just insane. You scream and scream and you no longer know who you are.”

“Finally, you faint,” the former detainee continued. “It all goes dark. But when you come to your senses, they start all over again. And once they’re done with you and you get your bearings, you hear other inmates screaming. The sounds of torture are just there all day, and at some point you start losing your mind.”

Many of the victims were returned to their families where authorities suggested the relatives perform “honor killings”

Human Rights Watch urges the European Union and the United States to intervene and offer sanctuary to the victims.

Former Vice President Joe Biden has called on President Trump to address the human rights violations. Trump has not spoken publicly to date about the ongoing atrocities.

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Joe Biden Urges Trump Administration To Address Torture/Murder Of Gay Men In Chechnya

My man, former Vice President Joe Biden, issued this statement today via Facebook regarding the horrific human rights abuses against gay men in Chechnya:

“I am disgusted and appalled by reports from both the Russian media and non-governmental organizations that authorities in the Russian republic of Chechnya have rounded up, tortured, and even murdered individuals who are believed to be gay. When faced with such crimes of hate and inhumanity, it is the responsibility of every person of conscience to speak out—to oppose this campaign of violence before it continues further.

“Every man or woman on this earth is entitled to be treated with dignity—to live without fear and to love freely. Unfortunately, the human rights abuses perpetrated by Chechen authorities and the culture of impunity that surrounds them means that these hate crimes are unlikely to ever be properly investigated or that the perpetrators will see justice. But that does not mean that we should fail to defend basic human rights, fundamental freedoms, and universal values.

“I hope that the current administration lives up to the promises it has made to advance human rights for everyone by raising this issue directly with Russia’s leaders. The United States must lead the way to demand an end to these egregious violations of human rights.”

Where is President Trump on this?

We’ve heard nothing from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson nor United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Why so silent?

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Putin Spokesman: “We Do Not Have Any Reliable Information” On Torture Of Gay Men In Chechnya

Russian President Vladimir Putin

As the world continues to respond in outrage over reports that over 100 gay men have been rounded up, beaten and tortured in Chechnya, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin denies any knowledge of horrific crimes.

“We do not have any reliable information about any problems in this area” in the Chechen Republic, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday.

Chechnya is a federal subject of Russia, and it’s leader – Ramzan Kadyrov – is a close ally of Putin.

In 2009, the American organization Freedom House included Chechnya in the “Worst of the Worst” list of most repressive societies in the world. Torture and executions are not uncommon in the Chechen Republic.

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Donald Trump Flip-Flops On Torture/Killing Terrorists’ Families

At last night’s Republican debate Donald Trump was asked about his recent statements regarding torture, specifically saying he would do “worse” than torture and would want soldiers to kill terrorists’ families.

When Trump was informed by the moderator that that was straight up illegal according to international law and soldiers wouldn’t be able to follow such orders, Trump replied, “They won’t refuse. They’re not gonna refuse me. Believe me. I’m a leader, I’ve always been a leader. I’ve never had any problem leading people. If I say do it, they’re going to do it.”

Apparently that did not sit well at the Pentagon this morning. Military leaders get nervous about being ordered to break international laws.

So, this afternoon The Donald flip-flopped issued a statement clarifying that he would not order the U.S. military to violate international laws to fight terrorism.

From CNN:

Trump said in a statement that he understands “that the United States is bound by laws and treaties” and said he would “not order our military or other officials to violate those laws and will seek their advice on such matters.”

He added, “I will not order a military officer to disobey the law. It is clear that as president I will be bound by laws just like all Americans and I will meet those responsibilities.”

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Matt Baume Looks At The Strange, Horrible History Of “Ex-Gay” Therapy

After several posts about so-called “ex-gay” torture therapy here on The Randy Report, I did encounter a few people who asked me, “What if someone wants to be ‘cured’ of the gay? Shouldn’t they be able to do that?”

And the answer? Of course. Except – it doesn’t work.

And the history behind most of the “treatments” is pretty sketchy – forced cuddling, horse stroking, and monkey testicles, anybody?

Smart guy Matt Baume takes us on a disturbing journey through the ages of “curing the gay.”

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Illinois: State Senate Votes 34-19 To Protect LGBT Youth From “Ex-Gay” Torture

The Illinois state Senate on Friday approved a measure, by a vote of 34-19, that will ban so-called “ex-gay” therapy aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBT youth.

The bill passed by a 34-19 vote after receiving House approval this month. It now heads to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has not indicated whether he plans to sign the bill into law.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), points to several mental health associations support banning the practice as studies have shown it can be extremely damaging causing “mental illness, trauma and can increase the risk of suicide.”

The legislation would ban mental health providers from using the controversial treatment on anyone under 18 years old.

Currently California, Oregon, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. have approved similar bans on “conversion” therapy.

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Oregon Bans “Ex-Gay” Therapy For LGBT Youth

Via press release from the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

Today, the Oregon State Senate passed HB 2307, a bill that will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy. The bill was overwhelmingly approved by the State House on March 17 and is now heading to the desk of Governor Kate Brown who is expected to sign it into law. When signed into law, Oregon will become the fourth jurisdiction—behind California, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia—to pass legislation protecting LGBT youth from the serious harms caused by these practices, which have been linked to substance abuse, serious depression, and even suicide.

HRC and NCLR have partnered with state equality groups across the nation to pass state legislation to end this dangerous practice, including laws passed in California, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. In August of 2013, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld California’s ban which was signed into law by Democratic Governor Jerry Brown in 2012. On Monday May 4, 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision to upheld New Jersey’s ban which was signed into law by Republican Governor Chris Christie in August of 2013. NCLR attorneys have assisted in the defense of every state bill to date.

More at NCLR.org.

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Oregon: State House Passes Ban On “Ex-Gay” Therapy For Minors

By a vote of 41-18, the Oregon House has approved legislation that would ban so-called “ex-gay” or “conversion” therapy that purports to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of young people.

The bill would make it illegal for social workers or licensed mental health professionals such as psychologists or psychiatrists to practice what’s called conversion therapy on children younger than 18.

Laws banning the therapy have passed in New Jersey, California and Washington, D.C. Advocates say bills have been introduced in about two dozen more states.

Rep. Rob Nosse, a Portland Democrat, said the therapy has been widely discredited. He said the therapy can often lead to depression or anxiety in youths.

Psychology experts have called the practice “harmful” and “dangerous.”

The bill now heads to the Democrat-controlled Senate.