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Amnesty demands urgent action in Iraq
President Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq
The Iraqi government is ââ¬Åignoring the murder of homosexualsââ¬Â.
According to gay rights groups, the Iraqi government has been turning a blind eye to the murders of gay men. Over the past few weeks twenty-five men have been killed on account on their sexuality.
As reported by Pride Life , many of these murders have taken place in the slum area of Sadr City in Baghdad.
Amnesty International has approached the US-backed government of President Nouri al-Maliki to demand “urgent and concerted action” to halt the killings.
Amnesty said that the murders seem to have been committed by Shia militiamen, incited by the clergy.
Homosexuality is a taboo subject in Iraq, and condemned as “deviant” by some members of the clergy.
However with the improved security situation in the country, some gay men have been meeting more openly. Their meeting places are frequently raided, and arrests made.
"Most of the people who are arrested are found dead, with signs of torture and burns," Ali Hili of the Iraqi Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group told the Independent newspaper. "We believe a war has been launched by the Iraqi government and its establishment against gay people."
