Malaysian Police Launch Investigation of LGBTQ Whistle-Blower

Days after LGBTQ activist Numan Afifi testified to the United Nations Human Rights Council about state-sponsored violence and discrimination, Malaysian police have started an investigation--on Afifi.

"I have been asked by the police to come in to PDRM HQ Bukit Aman to give a statement on Friday morning April 26 next week to help with an investigation in regards to a speech that was made in United Nations in Geneva last month," Afifi revealed on Facebook.

"I will not bow down to these acts to harass or intimidate me as a human rights defender in Malaysia. I fight for all human rights and will continue doing so. Stand in solidarity with us as we enlarge civic space in Malaysia and condemn those who attempt to shrink it."

Malaysia Kini reports Afifi gave a speech a speech last month to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland as part of Malaysia's Universal Periodic Review.

It's not the only place where Afifi, president of the Pelangi Campaign, has spoken out about abuse in the nation.

After tourism minister Datuk Mohamaddin bin Ketapi claimed there were no LGBTQ people in Malaysia, Afifi spoke to The Advocateabout the negative repercussions of such remarks.

"Erasure of our existence will not only just trivialize our struggle, but also perpetuate the injustices towards us," he said.

In Maylasia, homosexuality is punishable by up to 20 years in prison under the Malaysian Criminal Code.

After Afifi's most recent U.N. speech, he has faced calls for apologies from many in the government for describing state-sponsored anti-LGBTQ programs.

A group of pro-LGBTQ groups has come to Afifi's defense, according to the Malay Mail, reporting a range of government efforts from encouraging 2,000 LGBTQ individuals to encourage conversion therapy.

The government is also sponsoring a three-day camp which supposed aims at reducing HIV transmission among trans women by teaching them for Muslim trans women through adhering to a more righteous path of Islam.