“Crackdown” on LGBTQ community still making headlines internationally

The aftermath of the rainbow flag raising at a concert in Cairo is still making news internationally. Egypt is launching the “largest crackdown” on the LGBTQ community in more than a decade, Bethan McKernan writes for The Independent. “The clampdown is the most severe state attack on LGBTQ rights since 2001, when police arrested 52 men in a raid on a floating disco called the Queen Boat,” McKernan notes. BBC News shares the sentiment, saying the crackdown is escalating. Najia Bounaim, Amnesty International’s North Africa Campaigns director says “the authorities must urgently halt this ruthless crackdown and release all those arrested immediately and unconditionally.” Mashrou’ Leila, the band that was playing at the concert along with two other Egyptian acts, said on its Facebook page that it was “heartbroken” and urged the world to stand up to LGBTQ rights. The band noted that “Human rights are not privileges to be given and taken away. Human rights just are.”