PREAMBLE As documented by the 2009 Human Rights Watch report entitled “They Want us Exterminated, ” Iraqi militias are effecting a growing campaign of torture and murder on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and transsexual people. Human Rights Watch speaks specifically to the killings of suspected male homosexuals. While such incidents indeed constitute the bulk of the killings, there are numerous reports of transsexuals and more isolated reports of lesbians being murdered. As the slaughter gathers steam through 2009 and into 2010, no governing body has moved to protect these sexual minorities. PETITION WE, THE UNDERSIGNED CITIZENS OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY draw to the attention of The United Nations Permanent Mission to Iraq the following: THAT the torture and massacre of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and transsexual people, ongoing in Iraq is in clear violation of the human rights and legal norms affirmed by the government of Iraq and the United Nations. THAT lack of decisive response to this escalating violence signals failures of the Iraqi government and of the United Nations in their respective capacities as protectors of minority populations. THAT respected human rights bodies such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have investigated and roundly condemned this violence. THEREFORE your petitioners implore The United Nations to pressure Iraqi officials to halt these atrocities. Specifically, consistent with the call advanced by Human Rights Watch in their 2009 report on this issue, Iraq must “act urgently to rein in militia abuses, punish the perpetrators, and stop this new resurgence of violence that threatens all Iraqis' safety.” We thank you for your attention.

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