A spate of killings in Iraq are specifically targeting gays and
lesbians in the West Asian country, according to reports.
The news comes after human rights officials claim they've received
several reports from Iraq about an unidentified group who have
posted death threats in both Basra and Baghdad.
As reported on the San Diego Gay and Lesbian News, the postings
listed the names and ages of the targeted people, told them that
they had four days to stop their behavior, or face the wrath of God
in a punishment to be carried out by the Mujahedin.
Subsequently, nearly fifty people are said to have been victims
since the troubles began in February.
Now, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
has called upon the Iraqi government to make a stand.
"The Iraqi government is responsible for the protection of all
Iraqi citizens, including the members of the gay and lesbian
community," said Hossein Alizadeah, Middle East and North Africa
program coordinator for IGLHRC.
"We call on the Iraqi authorities to immediately intervene to
protect the lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender community and to
bring to justice those who are responsible for these
atrocities.
"We particularly demand the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights
denounce the anti-gay violence in Iraq and launch an official
investigation into these heinous crimes."
