Zelim Bakaev
Never Again (Again)
Over a year later—and still no justice for gay and bisexual men murdered in Chechnya.
BY MATT BEARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALLOUT.ORG
One year ago last month, news broke of a wave of terrifying, state-sponsored violence in Chechnya against men perceived to be gay or bisexual. 
In scenes that would not have been out of place in Nazi Germany, innocent men were rounded up and removed to illegal detention centers. Men like Maxim Lapunov, who spent 12 days in a blood-soaked cell just because he is gay, but who today is bravely speaking out for justice. Men like the pop singer Zelim Bakaev, who disappeared last August during the round-ups and has not been seen since.
Prisoners were held in appalling conditions: starved, humiliated, beaten and subjected to extreme torture. Some who were rounded up did not get out alive. The authorities also outed many of the men to their families, directly inciting relatives to carry out honor killings against their sons, brothers and fathers.
Prisoners were held in appalling conditions: starved, humiliated, beaten and subjected to extreme torture. Some who were rounded up did not get out alive.”
Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader, has both denied the existence of LGBT people in his country and said that gay people should move to Canada “to purify our blood”. But it is Vladimir Putin and the Russian government who have the final say on what happens in Chechnya. Russia has failed to conduct any meaningful investigations into the appalling abuses that took place. Nobody has been brought to justice. This is unacceptable.
On Saturday, April 7, All Out, its members and partners came together outside the Russian embassy in London and in cities around the world to honor our gay and bisexual brothers murdered in Chechnya.
We stand in solidarity with men like Maxim who survived the torture camps. We will make sure the world does not forget about what happened in Chechnya. We will tell the Russian government “we are watching you.” We won’t rest until we get justice for Maxim, for Zelim and for the dozens of other men who were tortured and murdered in Chechnya.
Ed. Note: In related news—Belgium said last month it has given humanitarian visas to five gay men from Chechnya who face persecution for their sexual orientation in their native region in Russia’s North Caucasus. Belgian State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken added that more humanitarian visas may be issued to LGBT people from Chechnya in the future. Help save LGBTQ lives. Go to: www.rainbowrailroad.com.
