1. Homophobic culture in Chechnya and beyond
Extremes of Religion
Samantha McNiff

2. Chechen/Russia conflict between Russian government and Chechen/Islamist nationalist forces.
Centuries long, often violent.
As a result, Chechnya currently functions as a “quasi-independent state”.
The Basics

3. Over 100 have been detained in concentration-style camps.
Recently, Chechen officials have begun to launch an “anti-gay campaign”, rounding up anyone suspected of being homosexual.
Over 100 have been detained in concentration-style camps.
3 killed thus far.
The Basics, cont.

4. The spokesperson for Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechnya’s leader, claims reports are “absolute lies and disinformation”. However….
Claims this is impossible because “there are no homosexuals in Chechnya”.
“You cannot detain and persecute people who do not exist in the Republic”
??????????? What. Just what.
Chechen Response

5. Homophobic culture is being spread by leaders & those in power.
Leader’s spokesperson goes on to say, “If there were such people in Chechnya, law enforcement wouldn’t need to do anything with them because their relatives would send them somewhere from which there is no returning”.
Homophobic culture is being spread by leaders & those in power.
Clear that government’s intent is to eliminate homosexuality in the region.
Chechen Response, cont.

6. Local officials approve of actions internally and deny externally, while Moscow (Russia) simply “turns a blind eye”.
Denial

7. Homophobia Internationally
Chechen acts fit into a pattern of governments spreading anti-gay rhetoric.
2016 Indonesian anti-gay police violence.
Bangladesh response to slaughter of two gay activists: “The two had been promoting values that do not fit in our society”.
Pulse nightclub shooting.
A total of 70 countries where homosexuality is illegal.
Homophobia Internationally

8. Homophobia Internationally
9 countries in which homosexuality is punishable by death, 6 of which cite Sharia law.
Homophobia Internationally

9. Change must start at home
Sex ed in schools
Uneducated= More susceptible to stereotypes
False mindset that homosexuality is a choice. APA has declared that homosexuality is not a mental illness, rather homosexuality and heterosexuality are equally normal aspects of human sexuality.
Further education on the facts of homosexuality would decrease homophobia and risk of falling victim to bigotry.
The Solution

10. UN Declaration of Human Rights
Change Abroad
UN Declaration of Human Rights
“Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth… without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, etc”
As of Feb 2009, UN had taken action (“peacekeeping missions”) on 63 separate occasions.
A clear statement from the UN of no tolerance for bigotry at the political level is necessary.
The Solution

11. https://www. washingtonpost
Sources