Theresa May

Prime Minister Theresa May has addressed the persecution of gay men in the Russian territory of Chechnya.

Human rights groups have raised concerns about the treatment of LGBT people in Chechnya, an autonomous region of Russia.

Reports last month alleged that more than 100 gay men have been detained in a ‘purge’ in the region, with many feared dead. Further investigations have alleged that ‘honour killings’ of LGBT people are being encouraged by the regional government, while leader Ramzan Kadyrov denies that gay people exist in the region.

The Kremlin finally opened a probe of the issue last week after Russian President Putin was challenged on the issue by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but the international community has come under criticism for a slow response.

In a letter today, UK Prime Minister Theresa May branded the atrocities “abhorrent”.



Responding to a plea from a cross-party group of politicians led by Labour’s Seb Dance and Tory Ian Duncan, the Prime Minister wrote: “This is a deeply troubling issue and I appreciate you sharing your concerns with me.”

She wrote: “Officials from our Embassy in Moscow have raised our concerns at a senior level with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and are exploring possibilities for a joint démarche with our international partners in country.

“Urgent action is also being taken to explore how best to provide support to the LGBT+ community in the region.”

The letter continues: “You are right to raise concerns about the unacceptable statement issued by the regional government in Chechnya. The UK Government has made clear that this response, implying that such treatment towards LGBT+ people is tolerable, is particularly abhorrent.”

She added: “More widely, the issue of LGBT+ rights is one that the UK raises regularly with the Russian authorities.

“I can reassure you that we have raised concerns, particularly about the Russian law prohibiting the promotion of ‘non-traditional’ sexual relations to minors since it came into place in June 2013.”

The letter comes after a cross-party campaign, while 40,000 people have now signed a PinkNews Petition calling for action.

Several party leaders in the UK have now spoken out on the issue, including Lib Dem leader Tim Farron and UKIP leader Paul Nuttall.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has so far declined to speak on the issue. Asked for comment last month, a spokesperson for the Labour leader told PinkNews that questions on foreign policy issues should be dealt with by Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry.

Labour MEP Seb Dance was one of the co-signatories of the letter to which the Prime Minister responded.

Mr Dance tweeted: “Pleased to receive reply from the PM outlining measures UK is taking on plight of gay men in Chechnya. Crucial we work x-party & w/ allies.”

Read Mrs May’s letter in full below: