Kadyrov Has Supported Extrajudicial Killings of Gay MenÂ
The U.S. Treasury Dept. has just sanctioned Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov for “gross violations of human rights,” under the Magnitsky Act. Kadyrov, handpicked and supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is the infamous head of Chechnya, the part of the Russian Federation where concentration camps for kidnapped gay men have been verified. Under Kadyrov’s tenure, and possibly at his direction, these men have been captured, tortured, murdered, or forced to reveal the names of other gay men.Â
Being sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act means Kadyrov cannot enter the U.S. and is banned from using any U.S. banking entity. The Treasury Dept. notice does not detail or even mention the human rights abuses of gay men. Bloomberg says sanctioning Kadyrov, and others, is “likely to exacerbate tensions between Washington and Moscow.”
In Chechnya, some of the concentration camp survivors, after being tortured, are released to their families, who are ordered to perform an “honor killing” of the men, because they are gay.
In an HBO Real Sports inteview, Kadyrov claimed, “We don’t have any gays” in Chechnya.
“If there are any, take them to Canada,” he said. “To purify our blood, if there are any here, take them.”
Kadyrov calls the verified reports of extrajudicial killings of gay men in his country “nonsense,” while labeling LGBT people “devils” who “are for sale.”Â
He has condoned the honor killings, and said: “If we have [gay] people here, I’m telling you officially their relatives won’t let them be because of our faith, our mentality, customs, traditions.”
A Treasury Dept. ruling to be published Thursday “sets out criteria for inclusion on the list, namely, certain persons who the President determines”:
Are responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals seeking: to expose illegal activity carried out by officials of the Government of the Russian Federation; or to obtain, exercise, defend, or promote internationally recognized human rights and freedoms, such as the freedoms of religion, expression, association, and assembly, and the rights to a fair trial and democratic elections, in Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has been exceptionally slow to address the kidnapping, torture, and extrajudicial killings of gay men in Chechnya. He has met with President Putin and Russian government officials without even mentioning the human rights abuses.Â
Â