A protest action in Auckland next week will demand the New Zealand Government urges Russia to investigate the detention, torture and death of men perceived to be gay in Chechnya. Police inspection in Grozny, Chechnya image: Alamy Gay men are now beginning to flee Chechnya as Russian activists say more than 100 gay men are being held in a detention centre, some even tortured. Three men are said to have been killed. On Thursday the Parliamentary rainbow cross-party group revealed that they are urging Foreign Minister Murray McCully to condemn the situation. Protest co-organiser Aatir Zaidi says it is important that people, not only in New Zealand but all over the world, speak up and condemn the actions in Chechnya. “Even thinking about concentration camps and abduction in 2017 sounds so horrible and scary. Imagine a friend or family member being taken away. I am promoting queer-to-queer kindness. Gay men who are attacked in Russia should know that they are not alone. We stand with them here in New Zealand.” “I think visibility is everything,” says Zaidi. “It is surprising that in 2017 we have to fight for our survival. This is such a breach of Human Rights. I think visibility is a slap on the face of countries and people who deny our existence.” The protest is to be held at Auckland’s Aotea Square on Tuesday 18 April, from 6pm - 9pm and all are welcome to attend.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 14th April 2017 - 2:34pm