It’s been over 100 days since Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta first reported the atrocities being carried out against the gay community in Chechnya.
Since then, the paper has released a list of 27 men believed executed by Chechen authorities, with fears that up to 56 have been killed in the anti-gay purge.
Activists in the United States have been calling on the White House to denounce the Russian republic and now MTV has created a campaign designed to raise greater awareness of the situation and put pressure on the Trump administration.
Celebrities have been using the hashtag #EyesonChechnya, accompanied by a graphic of rainbow figures with targets on their heads.
So far, stars such as RuPaul, Rita Ora, and Mara Wilson have supported the campaign, urging their followers to do the same.
Gay and bi men are being targeted, imprisoned, even murdered in Chechnya. #EyesonChechnyahttps://t.co/7JhmqIBSsK
@whitehouse for over 100 days we’ve known about gay/bi men targeted in Chechnya. Will you speak out? #EyesOnChechnyahttps://t.co/fuL3xTfkiy
We cannot forget about the queer people in danger around the world! Please speak out against targeted violence in Chechnya #EyesOnChechnyahttps://t.co/jxQbHzrOfB
The MTV campaign website explains that gay men have been hunted down, detained and in some cases, murdered.
“In spite of these horrors, not enough people are aware of what's happening or taking action.
“Together we can raise the volume on the public outcry, and let the world know that we have our #EyesOnChechnya."
The site links to a petition on the Human Rights Campaign website that sends an email to President Trump urging him to join other world leaders—such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—in putting pressure on Russia to intervene.
