ILGA-Europe have launched an urgent appeal to help organizations on the ground support victims of the crisis in Azerbaijan, where members of the LGBTI community are being targeted by police raids.

Members of the LGBTI community in Baku are being actively targeted by police raids, with those detained being assaulted, forcibly medically examined, fined or forced to reveal contact details from their mobile phones.

ILGA-Europe have launched an urgent appeal for donations to help organizations in the region to support these victims. Based on their experience in responding to the human rights crisis in Chechnya, they can provide grants to activists working with victims to meet their needs. This might be used to provide psychosocial support, medical assistance, help with rehousing, or legal fees when someone is under arrest, and for court hearings.

Funds will be re-granted to activists working directly with victims and used by ILGA-Europe to cover costs directly associated with working on the crisis in Azerbaijan in line with ILGA-Europe’s accountability standard.