{"id":1066,"date":"2023-05-16T19:37:45","date_gmt":"2023-05-16T19:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torturesbelarus2020.org\/?p=1066"},"modified":"2026-03-30T16:33:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T16:33:12","slug":"","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torturesbelarus2020.org\/en\/katavanni-lyudzej-lgbtk-i-gamafobnaya-palityka-rezhymu\/","title":{"rendered":"Torture of LGBTQ+ people and the regime's homophobic policies","raw":"Torture of LGBTQ+ people and the regime's homophobic policies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Report of the International Committee for the Investigation of Torture in Belarus, co-authored with the Legal Initiative. Based on data collected by the International Committee for the Investigation of Torture in Belarus and HRC \u00abViasna\u00bb.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homophobia in Belarus has been widespread for quite a long time and at the highest level. Since 2010, public homophobic statements<\/a> by Alexander Lukashenko have been traced in the media. From time to time news about hate-motivated attacks appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"
Belarusian riot police detains LGBT rights protesters in Minsk, May 15, 2010. Photo: VICTOR DRACHEV\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
LGBT protesters in a police car, May 15, 2010. Photo: VICTOR DRACHEV\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

After the presidential elections of 2020<\/strong> the situation worsened \u2014 mass repressions began, including against LGBTQ+ women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During detention, physical and psychological violence in the form of insults, humiliation, and threats were used against people who looked \u00abnon-normative\u00bb. Here is what the witnesses whose stories were documented by the International Committee and Viasna have to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Two policemen were standing over me, saying: \u00abNow we’re going to put batons up your ass, now you’re going to get raped. We should call Tolik, he’s our chief proctologist\u00bb.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

I’m a transparen, I have breasts. They told me: \u00abFuck you, you call yourself a guy, don’t fuck around! If you’re such a guy, strip down to your underwear, we don’t give a fuck!\u00bb<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

There was a guy in our van who had pictures of him kissing his boyfriend. I didn’t see what was going on there. But the bus was wobbling from the way he was being beaten.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian state started using LGBTQ+ people for propaganda. For example, in the \u00abpenitential videos\u00bb after the use of torture, detainees are forced to talk about their sexual orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n