A BBC investigation has revealed Iraqi law enforcement agencies are involved in the systematic persecution of gay men and women in the country. It's a very terminal and deadly persecution.
Activists claim dozens, if not hundreds, of gay people have been killed while the Western-backed government turns a blind eye - or worse. I can only imagine what "worse" the USA can do! The UN tells the BBC that neglecting these acts of violence makes the Iraqi state a "perpetrator" in the crimes, however, victims are in hiding. Reality sets in.
In post-occupation Iraq, where we hunted then hung Saddam and US troops left for Afghanistan, being gay, or even looking gay, can be a death sentence. Of course it depends on who makes that call.
It's very difficult to determine how many homosexuals have been killed in so called "honor killings" by their own families let alone the number of gays (suspected or otherwise!) who have been killed in private at the hands of the militias.
One BBC investigation has found that law enforcement agencies are actively involved in ongoing, systematic, and organized violence against gay people while the Iragi government heartily refuses to admit to it. Can you say, "Stonewalling"?
Once targeted, most gay people in Iraq have nowhere to hide. There is only one safe house in all of Baghdad (which is pretty big!) that can house a mere three people. I find that hard to believe but because other shelters have been raided and shut down by the government, the names of the group operating that safe house has not been publicly named, nor will others who operate similar houses.
In other news ....
An Israeli filmmaker living in California went into hiding after a YouTube trailer of his movie attacking Islam's prophet Muhammad sparked angry assaults by ultra-conservative Muslims on U.S. missions in Egypt and Libya. The trailer has been on YouTube since July!
The U.S. ambassador to Libya and three American members of his staff were killed during this uprising and I think it odd that this was in sync with 911 in America.
Wonder what that says?
Speaking by phone Tuesday from an undisclosed location, the film writer and director, 56-year-old Sam Bacile, remained defiant saying Islam is a cancer and that his film is intended to be a provocative political statement condemning the religion. It is, however, not religious.
His movie has only been shown once to a nearly empty theater in Hollywood. The AP said Bacile was "apologetic" about the ambassador's death but blamed lax security and the extremists who perpetrated the attack, "I feel the security system at the embassies is no good," he said. "America should do something to change that."
I see nothing needs to change, we do the best we can to protect our own.
President Obama condemned the attacks in a statement Wednesday but it is said he made a clear reference to the "Innocence of Muslims" film as well. He said, "While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants,"
While I feel a great sorrow for the loss of life, I fail to see the reference.
It was also reported that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also referenced the movie and said, "Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior, along with the protest that took place at our embassy in Cairo yesterday, as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet,"
Ms. Clinton added, "America's commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear. There is no justification for this. None."
IMO, do be prepared to see US ground troops go into Iraq very soon. The cost will surely be staggering, all of our taxes will rise, but it will change nothing for trans-persons.
No comments:
Post a Comment