Increasing homophobic brutality in Russia horrifying - Farron

Tim Farron has spoken out against Concentration Camps

Commenting on reports that Chechnya has opened concentration camps for gay men, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said:

"These reports from Chechnya are truly horrifying, and represent an extreme manifestation of increasing homophobic brutality and intolerance in Putin's Russia.

"The UK government must strongly condemn this disgusting violence, and use every possibly opportunity to raise this with the Russian government, as well as in the UN and other international bodies.

"The UK must work with those who share our values to stop the mindless targeting of the LGBT community, which is still prevalent in too many countries across the world. Only through defending universal human rights will we ever hope to achieve a world in which every person can live, work and flourish without discrimination.

"It is disappointing that Boris Johnson has failed to stand up for these people by not visiting Russia after Trump told him to stay at home."

There is a demonstration outside the Russian Embassy in London at 5:30pm on Wednesday 12th April, and members of the LGBT+ Lib Dems executive will be in attendance.