Susan's Place Transgender Resources

News and Events => People news => Topic started by: LostInTime on August 09, 2006, 03:00:37 PM

Title: Gays flee Iraq as Shia death squads find a new target
Post by: LostInTime on August 09, 2006, 03:00:37 PM
Article (http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1838222,00.html)

Ali Hili runs the Iraqi LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) group out of London. He used to have 40 volunteers in Iraq but says after recent raids by militia in Najaf, Karbala and Basra he has lost contact with half of them. They move to different safe houses to protect their identities, but their work is incredibly dangerous.
[...]
Homosexuality is seen as so immoral that it qualifies as an 'honour killing' to murder someone who is gay - and the perpetrator can escape punishment. Section 111 of Iraq's penal code lays out protections for murder when people are acting against Islam.