Venezuelan police accused of inaction on trans murders
An international human rights watchdog group is calling on police and government officials in Venezuela to take action following the murder of a transgender woman.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission says an unknown gunman shot and killed 27 year-old Xiomara Duran last month. The killing is the third of a transgender sex worker this year, and the fourth since November. The Commission says all of these cases have been reported to prosecutors and police, but there has been no response.
Marcelo Ferreyra is the coordinator for the group’s Latin American Program, from Argentina. He says he thinks he knows why.
Ferreyra – “In some cases, we suspect that the police are even involved. To be … to work in the street as a sex worker – you are always in contact with the police, which leads to harassment or extortion.”
The commission and gay rights group ‘Venezuela Diversa’ are asking supporters to send letters to Venezuelan officials, asking them to investigate the crimes.
–Aaron McQuade
