Activists claim Saudi police beat two Pakistani transgender women to death
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 6 March 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Activists claim Saudi police beat two Pakistani transgender women to death, 6 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a5f416.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 06, 2017
Pakistani activists are claiming that two transgender women from Pakistan were beaten to death by police in Saudi Arabia last week after being arrested there along with more than 30 other members of Saudi Arabia's transgender community.
Farzana Riaz, a leader of the campaign group Trans Action Pakistan, told a press conference in Peshawar, Pakistan on March 6 that several members of Saudi Arabia's transgender community had complained about the alleged beating deaths.
Riaz said the sources alleged that two Pakistani transgender women were forced into sacks by Saudi police and then beaten to death by police with batons.
Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry would not immediately comment on the allegations.
Officials from Pakistan's Interior Ministry were not immediately available for comment, and it was not immediately possible to verify the reported deaths.
Saudi media reported last week that police had raided a party where men were dressed as women and wearing makeup.
The Saudi media reports said about 35 people had been arrested, but did not use the word transgender nor report that anyone had been killed.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Dawn.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
