IGLHRC & Human Rights Watch: Torture of Gay Iraqis by Militias

by Rhonda J Mangus | April 23, 2009 at 06:51 am

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The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) claims reports of horrific torture of gay Iraqis by militias "are consistent with patterns of human rights violations being reported from within the country."

"Iraqi militias have deployed an unprecedented form of torture against homosexuals by using a very strong glue that will close their anus … an Iranian-manufactured glue that if applied to the skin, sticks to it and can only be removed by surgery. After they glue the anuses of homosexuals, they give them a drink that causes diarrhea. Since the anus is closed, the diarrhea causes death.Videos of this form of torture are being distributed on mobile cellphones in Iraq."

IGLHRC said it has not verified all of the allegations. Last week the group sent a letter to the Iraqi Minister of Human Rights, asking her to take specific measures to protect LGBT Iraqis.

IGLHRC and Human Rights Watch have submitted an urgent appeal to the Special Procedures of the United Nations to ask for an investigation.

Earlier this month, two gay men were found dead in the Baghdad Shiite slum of Sadr City following condemnations of homosexuality by a leading local cleric.

Reports suggest a further four were murdered in March after the Shiite cleric Sattar al-Battat allegedly repeatedly condemned homosexuality in Friday prayers.

In related news, the blog Towleroad also has posted disturbing BBC video of a young Iraqi man being forced to strip at a police stop for wearing woman's clothes, as well as reports of fliers being posted around Baghdad's Sadr City threatening death to homosexuals.

IGLHRC's letter to the Iraqi Minister of Human Rights, Her Excellency Wijdan Mikhail Salim, can be read,

Also on NowPublic: Bodies of Gay men found, after Clerics Urge Crackdown

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Amy Judd

at 07:30 on April 23rd, 2009

Thanks for your continuing coverage Rhonda

Rhonda J Mangus

at 07:34 on April 23rd, 2009

You are very welcome, Amy. Thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation.

aelusive

at 12:21 on April 23rd, 2009

Yeah good story. But we need to be sympathetic to the Iraqis too. They are simply obeying the QuRan. Let the gays all come to America.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 05:27 on April 24th, 2009

Thank you, aelusive. I am sympathetic to all forms of indoctrination of the mind. I am not sympathetic to those who, when presented with other ways of thinking, refuse to acknowledge and accept any other way of thinking; particularly the type of thinking that can make the world a better place in which to live.

Also, I do not believe that any individual should have to 'migrate' or 'pass' in order to be safe and to live authentically.

aelusive

at 06:47 on April 24th, 2009

Yes but their Muslim religion specifically says that this is evil. So who are we to judge the Muslims. I say we leave them alone?

Besides, gays are welcome here in America. Can't we just fly them here? I just think we need to be toleranat towards Islam, or we could end up dead. We need to be tolerant was my point.

I mean yeah, I disagree that they should hurt homosexuals, but they have a very strict religion that forced women to be second class citizens by our standards. But our standards are only right in OUR point of view.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 19:40 on April 24th, 2009

aelusive, I have said this before, and I will say it again, "If you see the same problem presenting over and over again, the problem has not been resolved, effectively." Each of us has a part in what is going on in our immediate 'world' and the extended world around us. The 'trick' is figuring out what that part is:).

Even though I am sympathetic toward the 'indoctrinated mind', I am not tolerant of anyone who spreads a belief(s) that clearly endangers the life of another human being.

Do you really believe that "...gays are welcome here in America." If this is the case, why are most still afraid to 'come-out', to live authentically? Why are LGBT being murdered, committing suicide, and 'fighting' for their rights on a daily basis?

Take sexual orientation out of the equation, you have a human being. And every human being is entitled to equal rights. The use of religion to oppress, degrade, and torture is a 'cop-out'.

Everyone to their own standard, aelusive. For me, it doesn't take rocket science to figure out what that standard is.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 09:58 on April 23rd, 2009

Esta, as I always say, "The indoctrinated mind, is blind". Like racism, homophobia is deeply entrenched in the minds of many throughout the world and, there is no doubt in my mind, via religious indoctrination. These acts go beyond hatred, they are evil, intentional, and, yes at times, organized.

Sharon Hodges

at 11:12 on April 23rd, 2009

Is this what the "legitimate" government of Iraq represents? Is this why we're over there, for this? This is the same thing that Saddam did, and worse. We put the world economy in the dumper for this? These people are sick.

Sharon Hodges

at 14:22 on April 23rd, 2009

I think I should point out this isn't a gay issue at all. The LA Times is running a story on the front page this morning about a young Iraqi girl who was just strolling along and was picked up by the police, because they had a problem with her brother.

Then while she was in the custody of the legitimate Iraqi government police, and backed up by forces from the U.S. and Canada, and everywhere else, she was raped, and left in a cell until she was 5 months pregnant. They they let her use the phone, and she called her brother for help. He came in and shot her because they all believed that an unwed pregnancy is a family dishonor.

So what sort of families are we talking about here, that it's a dishonor to get pregnant because you get raped, but it's ok to shoot your sister. Equally, it's a dishonor to be gay, but it's ok to engage in the worst crimes against humanity you can think of. I'm beginning to think less and less of these families.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 05:50 on April 24th, 2009

Sharon, thank you for reading and commenting, and providing another look at violence against a 'perceived' minority group in Iraq.

"I think I should point out this isn't a gay issue at all."

The story you reference is: In Iraq, a story of rape, shame and 'honor killing'. It certainly speaks to violence against the woman of Iraq, and the reasons therefore. Nevertheless, this story is about the horrific torture of homosexual men in Iraq, and the torture these men are experiencing for the want to live authentically (as is their right) can not be overstated.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:10 on April 24th, 2009

Canada does not have troops in Iraq.

Barbara McPherson

at 17:47 on April 23rd, 2009

The cruelty of men seems without limit.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 05:52 on April 24th, 2009

Thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation, Barbara.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 05:53 on April 24th, 2009

You are very welcome, Cypresso. Thank you for reading and for the recommendation.

harringtola

at 06:45 on April 24th, 2009

The horror is unimaginable. Their society is largely controlled religiously rather than by governmental laws. The sadness is that the intolerance being preached has such a violent and immediate result.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 06:57 on April 24th, 2009

Well-stated, harringtola. Thank you very much for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation.

René

at 05:39 on April 25th, 2009

too many 'bare branches', excess men.

What sadist gave the idea for this kind of toture?

Rhonda J Mangus

at 05:51 on April 25th, 2009

Rene, thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation. Thank you for bringing attention to the genetic expression 'bare branches' too. It is a very interesting argument.

What sadist gave the idea for this kind of torture? Anyone's guess.