Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Extremists, Militias Target Gays in Iraq

Officials, human rights groups dispute extent of escalating violence

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 5, 2007 4:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – Gays in Iraq are the targets of increasing violence by militias, police, and religious extremists, a largely unreported consequence of the 2003 US invasion. A fatwa is in place, reports the Chicago Tribune, and gays are fighting to emigrate to Sweden, Germany, and other countries. Recent reports by the UN and the US State Department have documented the brutality.

A January UN report described "religious courts, supervised by clerics, where homosexuals allegedly would be 'tried,' 'sentenced' to death and then executed." Iraqi leaders deny the allegations, saying sectarian violence affects all Iraqis, regardless of sexual orientation. Middle East experts say such crimes may not be state-sanctioned. Says a UN spokesman: "This is a cultural issue."

Iraqi Shiites shout slogans as they attend the weekly Friday...
Iraqi Shiites shout slogans as they attend the weekly Friday...   (Getty Images)
IRAQ-FBL-ASIA2007-IRQ-KSA-UNREST
IRAQ-FBL-ASIA2007-IRQ-KSA-UNREST   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Ashamed Families Behind Killings of Gay Iraqis

Man Fined After Anti-Gay Facebook Post

'Gay Nativity' Vandalized in California

Biden Tells Iraqis to Mend Fences —Like, Now

'Not Gay Enough' Ballplayers Win Settlement


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne