LGBTQ Ukrainians among Russia’s ‘kill list’, according to the US
American sources say they have "credible information" such a list exists.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Wiki and Pexels
Russia is thought to have a ‘kill list’ of dissidents in Ukraine, which includes LGBTQ people, according to a US ambassador.
Bathsheba Nell Crocker, the US representative to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, sent a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet over the weekend.
Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday (24 February) which has been condemned by world leaders.
“Russian forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians”
The letter, obtained by NBC News, says there is “credible information that indicates Russian forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation.”
Crocker goes on to write that it’s thought Russia will “likely target those who oppose Russian actions, including Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists and anti-corruption activists, and vulnerable populations such as religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ persons.”
As well as large-scale “human rights violations and abuses”, protesters would also be met with “lethal measures to disperse peaceful protests,” it goes on to say.
On Thursday, Russian forces entered Ukraine from multiple fronts while bombing key infrastructure across the country. Putin is defending his actions as being for the demilitarisation and “de-Nazification” of Ukraine, as reported by the BBC.
The invasion follows a build-up of Russian forces near the border with Ukraine for weeks.
The military action has been swiftly and strongly condemned by Western leaders, who are calling on Putin to stop while initiating sanctions against Russia.