Two transgender were tortured to death by police in Saudi Arabia
Two transgender people were packed in sacks, thrashed with sticks and tortured to death, according to human rights activists.
Police allegedly killed 35-year-old Amna, and Meeno, 26, both Pakistanis, after raiding a house in Saudi Arabia and arresting 35 transgender people.
Activists in Pakistan are demanding clarification from Saudi Arabia over the deaths and the 22 people reportedly still in custody.
“We want information because right now this is a very confusing situation and many in the transgender community in Saudi Arabia are feeling delicate and scared,” said Qamar Naseem, a feminism and social rights activist from the Blue Veins group, speaking to The Independent.
“They are not treated fairly even by criminal law in Saudi Arabia, and it’s not just people from Pakistan, it’s people from different parts of the world.
“Gender fluid people are treated badly, sometimes flogged, and if someone is arrested on the same law for a second time they can be executed.”
Mr Naseem said he and TransAction Pakistan president Farzana Jan were told by a transgender contact in Saudi Arabia about the raid.
They were allegedly arrested for cross-dressing and for having same-sex relationships in the capital of Riyadh.
Homosexuality is punishable by death while any sex-change surgery is illegal.
Mr Qamar said the group were hosting a Guru Chela Chalan gathering, a Pakistani ceremony celebrated in the transgender community, in which they choose their 'guru' leader.
Eleven were reportedly arrested after paying a 150,000 riyals fine (£33,000) while 22 were kept in custody.
Source: Independent