The Persecution Against LGBT Individuals in Chechnya and Its Solutions

By: Rusty Courter

In 2017, three uniformed men captured Amin Dzhabrailov from his place of work and brought

him to an undisclosed location where he was tortured for two weeks. According to Chechen

officials, the reason for his detainment was because he committed something worse than

terrorism: being gay.1 Dzhabrailov gives an emotional account of his time in detention as he says,

“They put me on the wall [...] put [a gun] on my head. And I started painting the wall with my

blood.2 He says he was often waterboarded and electrocuted to extrapolate the names of other

gay men he knew. Days later, Dzhabrailov was released and he eventually found refuge in

Canada.3 Dzhabrailov’s story, a common one for gay men in the Republic, serves as living proof

of the horrid persecution of LGBT individuals in the Russian republic of Chechnya.

The Persecution of the LGBT Community in Chechnya

The genesis and continuation of LGBT persecution in the Chechen Republic are rooted in

governmental action in upholding traditional values. In 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin

enacted a law banning the “promotion of nontraditional sexual relations to minors.”4 With this

law, the already prevalent stigma surrounding LGBT individuals was reinforced and a more
homophobic atmosphere was fostered. Vigilantes began to prey on gay men throughout the

country as they used dating apps to lure gay men into meeting them and subsequently torture

them while posting the attack on social media.5 This atmosphere is one that Ramzan Kadyrov,

the Head of the Chechen republic, has taken advantage of to progress his homophobic beliefs.

Kadyrov, unchecked by the Kremlin, has used this law to justify the anti-gay purge in the

Republic. The leader has even said that there are simply no gay people living in the republic, and

“if there are any, [to] take them to Canada [...] to purify our blood.”6 A Yale University report

suggests that around 83% of sexual minorities hide their identity, highlighting how Kadyrov’s

claims of there being no gay men in the Republic are only rooted in his homophobia and belief in

traditional values.7 In Russia, a staggering 1 and every 5 citizens want to “eliminate” gay people

from society.8 This statistic serves to further emphasize that any person in the Chechen republic

who did identify as LGBT, would not do so publicly for fear of persecution.

Kadyrov has put LGBT individuals at risk further by condoning so-called “honor killings” in

which members of a person’s family are encouraged to clear the family’s name by killing an

LGBT family member.9 Thus, the scope of this issue is not only present in governmental actions

as it has extended to the family and cultural level, meaning that LGBT individuals are no less

safe in their own homes than they are in the streets of Grozny, the Chechen capital. Further,

President Putin’s lack of condemnation against Kadyrov’s actions highlights how important the

Chechen ruler is for the Federation. From suppressing terrorism in the region to his support from

the Muslim community and Chechen celebrities, Kadyrov has proved to be a vehicle for peace in

an otherwise chaotic region in Russia.10 Thus, President Putin views the fearless leader as an

asset and has let the atrocities against sexual minorities persist.
Figure 123

Because of the foundation of homophobia laid by President Putin’s law and the Chechen leader’s

values, state-sponsored violence against LGBTQ Chechens reportedly began in February 2017.11

As seen in Figure one, 100 men were captured, tortured, and forced to give up names of more

gay individuals living in the republic for the cycle to viciously continue.12 A second wave is seen

in January of 2019 demonstrating that the mass dentition of LGBT individuals in Chechnya is

not isolated to the events of February 2017. This serves to highlight that this issue will not go

away without proper intervention.

There is much evidence that conflicts with the claims that Ramzan Kadyrov has made about the

non-existence of the gay purge. Despite Kadyrov denying the persecution altogether, a quote

from him in which he says, “take [LGBT individuals] to Canada” is in direct reference to the

work of the Rainbow Railroad, an organization that is helping Chechen individuals in danger

because of their sexuality.13 This correlation is because the Canadian federal government

secretly granted asylum to 22 LGBT individuals in 2017, thus proving that he is aware such

escape missions.14 Some of the most powerful evidence of this persecution comes directly from

the victims. Maxim Lupanov, a man who spent 12 days imprisoned and tortured came out
publicly on being abused at the hands of Chechen officials.15 His statement, along with the

graphic pictures of his wounds he took after his time imprisoned, is concrete evidence of the

purge. By Lupanov coming out publicly, he validates the truth of the issue as he has put himself

and his family’s life in danger as they have since had to flee the country.

The events in Chechnya not only threaten the lives of Russian LGBT people as it promotes the

spread of homophobia throughout the world. When Lupanov states, “If those rights can be

violated [in Chechnya], it could happen in any region. And no one knows whose son or daughter

will be next,” he underscores that what is happening in Chechnya can trigger similar purges in

other areas around the world.16 Furthermore, the purges are not only directed towards gay men as

families of lesbian women have fallen victim to the purge in a different way. When the uncle of a

woman, under the pseudonym Anya, discovered his niece’s sexuality, he demanded “that she

sleep with him or risk being outed to her father” denoting that this purge is indirectly affecting

lesbian women as well.17

International Action Needed for Stopping the Persecution

Based on the failure of previous actions taken within Russia, saving the lives of LGBT

individuals in Chechnya will require international involvement. Maxim Lupanov lodged a

criminal complaint to Yessentuki City Court in 2018 for the abuse he faced at the hands of

Chechen officials.18 After the complaint was denied, he appealed the court's decision to a higher

court which was denied as well.19 Lupanov said himself that “[the appeal] was [his] last chance

to find justice in Russia,” highlighting just how vital a role the international community will play

in combating this issue because he believes he has exhausted all his options within the Russian

judicial system.20

The understanding and normalization of LGBT individuals are needed to help stop the

persecution in Chechnya. In an interview with Kadyrov, the Chechen leader exclaims that “[he
and Chechen people] don’t understand them.”21 This lack of understanding emphasizes that the

torturing of LGBT individuals is not due just

because of the belief in traditional values, but

also a lack of understanding among Chechens

surrounding the LGBT community. In a Pew

Research study, individuals of varying sexual

identities were asked what has led to greater

social acceptance for LGBT individuals in

recent years. As seen in Figure two, all

responses have to do with the representation

of LGBT individuals in daily life. So, the

international community must continue

representing and normalizing LGBT

individuals for these cultural norms to seep

into Chechnya.

Figure 222

International outrage and pressure should continue. Similar to sanctions, pressure from the

international community have and will continue to lead to victories in combating this issue. In

December 2020, the United States government placed sanctions against Chechnya for suspected

human rights violations. The Magnitsky act, which “authorizes [the imposition of] economic

sanctions and [entry denial] into the United States to any foreign person identified as engaging in

human rights abuse,” was imposed against the Kadyrov, his family members, and institutions

close to him like the Akhmat Grozny soccer team.24 As many countries have followed the lead of

the United States government, targeting the Chechen leader personally will bring more promising
results in combating this issue because Kadyrov has proved he is not willing to even declare the

purge is even occurring.

While the aforementioned steps are set in motion, significance must be placed on rescuing

individuals currently in danger. With the efforts of the Rainbow Railroad, an organization that

helps Chechens who are in danger and works to grant them asylum, more countries should grant

asylum to LGBT individuals who face urgent danger. In a report released by the Rainbow

Railroad organization, they argue for four distinct actions to be taken by international

governments:

1. “Uphold the right to asylum

2. Resume the resettlement of LGBTQI refugees
3. Release LGBTQI asylum-seekers being held in detention centers
4. Increase resources dedicated to supporting LGBTQI refugees”25

These actions underscore the importance the international community plays in rescuing those

who are in urgent need of help.

Unfortunately, many of these solutions require Chechen cooperation; however, with continued

international pressure being placed on the Republic, this issue can be resolved. Hesitation may

arise from the Chechen government as they continue their promotion of traditional values and

from the implementation of President Putin’s law banning the “promotion of nontraditional

sexual relations to minors.”26 This is because any result to demonstrate acceptance of LGBT

rights could be seen as a violation of this law. Nevertheless, with continued international outrage,

Chechnya will be set on a path to LGBT acceptance.

Future Actions needed for LGBT Individuals

Through the aforementioned solutions, facilitating understanding; pressure; and granting urgent

relief, the international community ensures that persecution against LGBT individuals ceases.

This multifaceted approach is aimed at preventing the continuation and resurgence of the purge
against LGBT individuals. Seen through the new wave of unlawful detentions of gay men in

2019, the republic has proved that, without intervention, this problem will continue.

Even with President Putin and Ramzan Kadyrov’s denial of the purges, outside influence is seen

to have a positive effect. Maxim Lupanov took his case to the European Court of Human Rights

in 2019, and it has already been seen to affect change within Russia.27 For example, President

Putin’s ombudswoman has called for a criminal case to be opened within the country proving

just how powerful the international community can be in effecting change.28 Similarly, when

news first broke about the persecution in 2017, hundreds of people fled to protest in front of the

Russian embassy in London.29 In response, the Russian LGBT Network established a hotline for

endangered Chechens which, over a month, received forty requests for help which further

underscores the impact of the international community.30

Conversely, if steps by the international community are not taken, intensity and growth of the

persecution will commence. The first purge of LGBT individuals in 2017 preceded attacks and

arrests in Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Indonesia.31 Specifically, an Egyptian concert included pride

flags being flown which led to the subsequent arrest of 7 individuals.32 Months later, it was

reported that over 70 people had been imprisoned in Egypt because of their sexuality.33 This

bears a striking resemblance to the pattern seen in Chechnya, where imprisoned men are forced

to give up the identity of more LGBT individuals, thus emphasizing how dire steps in stopping

the persecution are.

On a personal level, continued engagement and education surrounding this issue are crucial to

the success of the solutions. Additionally, organizations like the Rainbow Railroad and the

Russian LGBT Network, which work in dangerous circumstances to help rescue at-risk

Chechens, rely heavily on monetary funds to sustain operation.34 Although they do not contribute

to directly solving the problem, these organizations are vital for solving this urgent need.
Additionally, writing to one’s senator is a beneficial way of bringing issues to national attention.

As just three months after a Russian newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, released a bombshell report in

2017 regarding the purge, the United States Senate released a resolution.35 This resolution is a

step forward in the fight against the purge as it “calls on the Government of the Russian

Federation to protect the human rights of all its citizens, condemn the violence and persecution,

investigate the allegations in Chechnya, and hold accountable all those involved in perpetrating

such abuses.”36 This resolution emphasizes how solutions to this issue can be solved starting with

individuals living abroad. Overall, while the dire situation in Chechnya is a dangerous one, there

are many concrete steps that can be taken for the safety of LGBT individuals in the region to be

ensured.
________________________

Endnotes

1 Steinmetz, Katy. “A Victim of the Anti-Gay Purge in Chechnya Is Speaking Out.” Time. Time,
July 26, 2019. https://time.com/5633588/anti-gay-purge-chechnya-victim/ (last accessed
April 15, 2021).
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Longman, James and others. “'I Started Painting the Wall with My Blood': Inside Chechnya's
Reported Torture of Gay People.” ABC News. ABC News Network, October 9, 2019.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/started-painting-wall-blood-inside-chechnyas-
reported-torture/story?id=66163773 (last accessed April 15, 2021).
5 “No Support.” Human Rights Watch, December 14, 2018.
https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/12/11/no-support/russias-gay-propaganda-law-
Imperils-lgbt-youth (last accessed April 15, 2021).
6 “The Olympics Have Left Sochi, but Don't Forget LGBT Russians.” Human Rights Watch,
October 28, 2020.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/02/08/olympics-have-left-sochi-dont-forget-lgbt-russians.
(last accessed April 15, 2021).
7 Ibid.
8 Osborne, Samuel. “Chechnya Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Says It's OK to Kill Gay People.”
The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, July 19, 2017.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/chechnya-ramzan-kadyrov
-leader-gay-people-honour-killings-relatives-mma-chechen-detain-russia-a7849346.html
(last accessed April 15, 2021).
9 Poitras, Colin. “The 'Global Closet' Is Huge-Vast Majority of World's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
Population Hide Orientation, YSPH Study Finds.” Yale School of Medicine. Yale School of
Medicine, June 13, 2019. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/20510/ (last
accessed April 15, 2021).
10 Kuhr, Elizabeth. “1 In 5 Russians Want Gays and Lesbians 'Eliminated,' Survey Finds.”
NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, April 24, 2020.
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/1-5-russians-want-gays-lesbians-
eliminated-survey-finds-n1191851.
11 Osborne, Samuel. “Chechnya Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Says It's OK to Kill Gay People.”
The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, July 19, 2017.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/chechnya-ramzan-kadyrov
-leader-gay-people-honour-killings-relatives-mma-chechen-detain-russia-a7849346.html
(last accessed April 15, 2021).
12 Kurda, Kavar. “Ramzan Kadyrov's Unchecked Power in the Caucasus.” Global Risk Insights,
December 31, 2018.
https://globalriskinsights.com/2018/12/kadyrovs-unchecked-power-caucasus-putin/ (last
accessed April 15, 2021).
13 Osborne, Samuel. “Chechnya Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Says It's OK to Kill Gay People.”
 The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, July 19, 2017.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/chechnya-ramzan-kadyrov
-leader-gay-people-honour-killings-relatives-mma-chechen-detain-russia-a7849346.html
(last accessed April 15, 2021).
14 McCarthy, Niall, and Felix Richter. “Infographic: Brutal New LGBT Purge In Chechnya.”
Statista Infographics, January 15, 2019.
https://www.statista.com/chart/16643/number-of-lgbt-people-detained-killed
-in-chechen-purges/ (last accessed April 15, 2021).
15 Osborne, Samuel. “Chechnya Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Says It's OK to Kill Gay People.”
The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, July 19, 2017.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/chechnya-ramzan-kadyrov
-leader-gay-people-honour-killings-relatives-mma-chechen-detain-russia-a7849346.html
(last accessed April 15, 2021).
16 Blinch, Mark. “How Canada Has Been Secretly Giving Asylum to Gay People in Chechnya
Fleeing Persecution.” The Globe and Mail, September 1, 2017.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/canada-chechnya-gay-asylum/article36145997/.
(last accessed April 15, 2021).
17 Rainsford, Sarah. “Chechen 'Gay Purge' Victim: 'No One Knows Who Will Be next'.” BBC
News. BBC, October 16, 2017. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41645281 (last
accessed April 15, 2021).
18 Ibid.
19 Radio Free Europe. “Gay Man Who Alleges Abuse In Chechnya Vows To Seek Justice At
European Court.” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Gay Man Who Alleges Abuse In
Chechnya Vows To Seek Justice At European Court, November 27, 2018.
https://www.rferl.org/a/gay-man-who-alleges-abuse-in-chechnya-vows-to
-seek-justice-at-european-court/29623768.html (last accessed April 15, 2021).
20 Ibid.
21 Taylor, Adam. “Ramzan Kadyrov Says There Are No Gay Men in Chechnya - and If There
Are Any, They Should Move to Canada.” The Washington Post. WP Company, April 18,
2019.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/07/15/
Ramzan-kadyrov-says-there-are-no-gay-men-in-chechnya-and-if-there
-are-any-they-should-move-to-canada/ (last accessed April 15, 2021).
22 “Chapter 2: Social Acceptance.” Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends
Project. Pew Research Center, December 31, 2019.
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2013/06/13/chapter-2-social-acceptance/ (last
accessed April 15, 2021).
23 McCarthy, Niall, and Felix Richter. “Infographic: Brutal New LGBT Purge In Chechnya.”
Statista Infographics, January 15, 2019.
https://www.statista.com/chart/16643/number-of-lgbt-people-detained
-killed-in-chechen-purges/ (last accessed April 15, 2021).
24 Radio Free Europe. “U.S. Imposes Additional Sanctions Against Chechen Leader Kadyrov.”
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. U.S. Imposes Additional Sanctions Against Chechen
Leader Kadyrov, December 10, 2020.
https://www.rferl.org/a/united-states-sanctions-chechnya-kadyrov-magnitsky/30994461.html
 (last accessed April 15, 2021).
25 “The Impact of COVID-19 on Displaced LGBTQ Persons.” Rainbow Railroad, June 2020.
https://assets.website-files.com/5996edc0ab717100012bd6a9/5ed90f74
afac27b1e4fb9e1c_Link%201.pdf.
26 “No Support.” Human Rights Watch, December 14, 2018.
https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/12/11/no-support/russias-gay-propaganda-law-
Imperils-lgbt-youth (last accessed April 15, 2021).
27 Schreck, Carl. “Russian Files Chechnya 'Gay Purge' Complaint With European Rights
Court.” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Russian Files Chechnya 'Gay Purge' Complaint With
European Rights Court, May 24, 2019.
https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-files-chechnya-gay-purge-complaint
-with-european-rights-court/29960776.html (last accessed April 15, 2021).
28 Ibid.
29 Chung, Stephen. “Londoners Protest Against 'Unprecedented' Anti-Gay Violence in
Chechnya.” NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, April 13, 2017.
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/londoners-protest-against
-unprecedented-anti-gay-violence-chechnya-n745996 (last accessed April 15, 2021).
30 Ibid.
31 Winsor, Ben. “It's Not Just Chechnya, the 'Gay Purge' Is a Growing Phenomenon.” Topics,
December 20, 2017. https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/agenda/article/2017/12/19/its-not
-just-chechnya-gay-purge-growing-phenomenon (last accessed April 15, 2021).
32 Ibid.
33 Ibid.
34 “How Can I Help?” Rainbow Railroad - Take Action. Accessed April 16, 2021.
https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/takeaction (last accessed April 15, 2021).
35 Taylor, Adam. “Reports of Anti-Gay Purges in Chechnya Lead to International Outrage.” The
Washington Post. WP Company, April 18, 2019.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/04/14/reports
-of-anti-gay-purges-in-chechnya-lead-to-international-outrage/ (last accessed April 15,
2021).
36 “The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.” Congress.gov, October 28, 2020.
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10576#:~:tex
t=The%20Global%20Magnitsky%20Human%20Rights%20Accountability%20Act%20.

Title Image

1 O'Hara, Mary Emily. “Facebook Groups Raise Over $100,000 to Help Gay Men in Chechnya.”
NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, April 28, 2017.
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/facebook-groups-raise-over
-100-000-help-gay-men-chechnya-n752586.