The SNP is pressuring the UK government to appoint a special envoy for LGBTI rights after the UN Security Council heard harrowing testimony about the treatment of sexual minorities in the Daesh controlled areas of Syria and Iraq.
Angela Crawley MP, SNP spokesperson for equalities, has written to UK Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond demanding he make the appointment saying it would “send a strong signal that the UK is serious about tackling victimisation of LGBTI (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex) people”.
The SNP says it has been repeatedly rebuffed by the Foreign Office over its calls to appoint an envoy on LGTBI rights.
Referring to the testimony before the UN, she said: “The cruelty of Daesh terrorists is well known but this is the first time the victimisation, torture and murder of LGBTI people in Iraq and Syria has been the focus of such high-level attention. The SNP unequivocally condemns the barbaric treatment that gay people have suffered at the hands of Daesh.
“It is important that the UK, alongside the international community, sends a strong message that LGBTI rights are human rights and that we stand with LGBTI people living in fear wherever they live.
“Appointing a special envoy will help ensure that international attention does not forget the plight of LGBTI people who live under Daesh or LGBTI refugees who have fled the area – I urge the Foreign Secretary to do so as a matter of urgency.”
The move comes following an historic meeting of the Security Council which discussed attacks by Daesh on sexual minorities - the first meeting by the organisation focused on gay rights.
The informal meeting was addressed by two gay men from the region. Syrian refugee Subhi Nahas told the meeting that life for sexual minorities in the Daesh controlled territories is unbearable.
“I was terrified to go out. Nor was my home safe, as my father, who suspiciously monitored my every move, had learned I was gay. I bear a scar on my chin as a token of his rage.
“I knew I would face death if I didn’t do anything, so I contacted my friend in Lebanon and I arranged my escape there.”
The meeting also heard from an Iraqi man identified as Adnan by telephone from an undisclosed location, who still fears for his safety.
“In my society, being gay means death and when (Islamic State) kills gays most people are happy because they think we are evil, and (Islamic State) gets good credit for that," he said.
"My own family turned against me when (Islamic State) was after me," said Adnan, who fled his home. "If (Islamic State) didn't get me, members of my family would have done it."
Adnan also told the meeting that Daesh had used mobile phone and facebook accounts to track down LGBTI people.
The UN meeting also heard from UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson who said that under Daesh gay men “have died in circumstances of unimaginable horror – stoned, beheaded, thrown from buildings” and that “these horrific acts are yet more evidence of ISIL’s utter depravity”.
According to Crawley’s letter the Foreign Secretary told SNP MP Eilidh Whiteford in March this year that he did not think appointing an LGBTI special envoy “would be the best way to protect their rights”, but Crawley has now renewed SNPs call for the move.
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