Post submitted by Stephen Peters, former Senior National Press Secretary and Spokesperson

HRC released a letter from HRC President Chad Griffin to President Donald Trump ahead of Trump’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 summit this week. In the letter, Griffin urges Trump to forcefully raise concern with Putin over Chechen attacks against gay and bisexual men.

“It is imperative that you forcefully raise this issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin when you meet him in Germany at the G-20 summit this week,” writes HRC President Chad Griffin. “I urge you to stand with the victims by calling on President Putin to take immediate action to bring the violence to an end and the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes to justice.”

Since news first broke in April, more than 100 gay and bisexual men have been arrested and detained without charge. While some have been set free, reports indicate that many remain in detention, where they have been beaten, tortured, and at least three have been killed.

Just last week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution condemning the atrocities, and world leaders from British Prime Minister Theresa May to German Chancellor Angela Merkel have made it clear to President Putin that lawless detentions, arrests, torture, and murders of LGBTQ people are unacceptable.

HRC has repeatedly called on Secretary Tillerson and President Trump to forcefully condemn the atrocities in Chechnya. While Ambassador Haley and the State Department have issued statements, the White House has not addressed the crisis.

Read the full letter here.