Canada Quietly Helping Gay Chechen Men Leave Russia

Chechen Gay Killer leader Ramzan Kadyrov has previously suggested deporting gay men to Canada

The federal government of Canada has been secretly helping gay Chechen men leave Russia in an under-the-radar program.

The arrangement has been introduced under the guidance of Chrystia Freeland, Canada's foreign affairs minister.

Ms. Freeland "wanted to be able to save a few individuals," a government source said. "And we also wanted to allow Canada to serve as a demonstration for like-minded countries about what could be done."

As an LGBT rights lawyer, these are the strangest cases I've seen 

The asylum deal does not fall under the conventions of international law, but the North American country is carrying on despite this.

Over the last three months, 22 people, many of whom were living in Russian safe houses, are now safe in several Canadian cities, including Toronto.

Other people fleeing Russia's harsh anti-gay discrimination are expected to touch down in Canada over the next few weeks.

"Canada accepted a large number of people who are in great danger, and that is wonderful," said Tanya Lokshina, Russian program director for Human Rights Watch, in an interview with The Globe and Mail.

"The Canadian government deserves much praise for showing such openness and goodwill to provide sanctuary for these people. They did the right thing."

The government scheme has been operating covertly for fear of reprisals. But Kimahli Powell, executive director of Rainbow Railroad, has spoken out, saying: "We needed to be discreet about the program for as long as possible to maintain their safety."

He added: "We now have to focus on settlement and integration of these individuals. And it's important that our community, who are concerned about them, know that they're here, that they're safe."

The deeply conservative republic of Chechnya launched a pogrom against gay men, reported Novaya Gazeta. There were allegations that LGBT people were being rounded up.

The Russian LGBT Network stated that 52 people had contacted them, saying they had been detained and tortured.

The Canadian government has taken a strong line against LGBT discrimination. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke out on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.

He said: "In Canada and around the world, we must continue to fight against homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, and to defend gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation rights.

"We deplore the recent, reprehensible reports of violations of the human rights of gay and bisexual men in Chechnya. We call for the protection of all people in Chechnya whose sexual orientation makes them a target for persecution. Human rights have no borders."

Ironically, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov suggested deporting gay men to North America: "If there are any, take them to Canada ... Take them far from us so we don't have them at home.

"To purify our blood, if there are any here, take them."

The Independent