HRW denounces shaving of women's heads in Maguindanao as punishment for being lesbians

Human Rights Watch denounced Monday the shaving of heads of several women in Maguindanao as punishment for their sexual orientation.

In a statement, HRW LGBT rights researcher Ryan Thoreson said nobody should suffer such kind of violence and humiliation due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

"Officials should ensure that justice is served for the victims and the perpetrators are held accountable," Thoreson said.

Thoreson added that "lawmakers should redouble efforts to prohibit and eradicate discrimination against LGBTI people throughout the Philippines."

Last week, a community in Ampatuan, Maguindanao publicly shaved the heads of six women between the ages of 16 and 20 for being lesbians.

Photos included in Victoria Tulad's report on “24 Oras” showed the young women being shaved bald, surrounded by onlookers. Some photos also showed the hair hacked off at different lengths.

According to the report, the residents said that the women were being punished, claiming that Islam prohibits being part of the LGBTQIA community.

One of the women's relatives said that the public punishment stemmed from a parent's complaint.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos declined to comment on the matter.

Maguindanao 2nd District Board Member King Mangudadatu said he plans to hold a meeting with the women and their parents over the issue, expressing concern over the trauma the women may be experiencing due to the community's actions.—AOL, GMA News