A NGO that monitors gender related violence denounced the murders of several citizens, who were killed because of their sexual orientation in the port town of Buenaventura.
Lina Camacho, representative from Observatorio de la Violencia de Genero told Caracol TV that an openly gay man was murdered in what appeared to be a sexual identity related crime. At his wake an attempt was also made on the life of his partner.
Camacho also denounced attacks on two other young gay men. “We have established that one was taken by a paramilitary group,” she said. Another was murdered in Buenaventura’s main street.
“It’s a worrying situation. Such social intimidation comes from prejudice over these people’s sexual orientation,” Camacho added.
The representative said that the Buenaventura Ombudsman and the police are working with the local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community to address how there needs can be better served in order to protect their human rights and security.
