President Trump and Administration Remain Silent after US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley Condemns Attacks
NEW YORK – U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is expected to meet with President Trump today for the first time since condemning the attacks on LGBTQ men in Chechnya last week. Ambassador Haley condemned the violent attacks noting that the U.S. Mission to the UN Is “against all forms of discrimination, including against people based on sexual orientation.” Her statement followed a public call from GLAAD and followers on social media.
President Trump has remained silent despite additional news reports stating that the Chechen government wants to “eliminate” LGBTQ men by the start of Ramadan on May 26.
“President Trump must speak out in support of human rights and against the anti-LGBTQ violence in Chechnya,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO. “Ambassador Haley’s statement was a step in the right direction, but President Trump and the United States must take a stronger role in keeping LGBTQ people safe and holding those responsible for these attacks accountable. LGBTQ rights are human rights, and it’s up to the United States to lead the effort in protecting LGBTQ acceptance across the globe.”
Just this morning, the New York Times called on the United States to have a more forceful presence in condemning this humanitarian crisis. Apart from Ambassador Haley, other members of the Trump Administration have been completely silent among growing reports of hundreds of LGBTQ people in Chechnya being detained, abused, and possibly being put into concentration camps.
However, LGBTQ supporters and political leaders are joining a chorus to condemn these attacks because they know time is of the essence and the world must stop what is happening in Chechnya. This includes:
- U.S. Department of State
- A panel of five experts who advise the United Nations Human Rights Council
- United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley
- Former Vice President Joe Biden
- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
- Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
- Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer
- U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- The U.S House LGBT Caucus
- Anne Frank Center
- United Kingdom’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office
- Members of the United Kingdom Parliament from the Labour, Conservatives and the Green Party
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz - United States Congresswomen and Former DNS Chair
- Lilianne Ploumen - Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
- The Rainbow NZ Parliamentary Network
- Chrystia Freeland - Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Julie Bishop - Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Boris Johnson - Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs in the United Kingdom,
- Federica Mogherini - High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
- Antonio Tajani - President of the European Parliament
- Tim Wilson - Member of the Australian Parliament and Former Australian Human Rights Commissioner
About GLAAD: GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.
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