The Lithuanian government has helped two gay Chechens escape Russia and announced an international effort to protect others. The country's foreign minister, Linas Linkevicius, said on May 17, the international day against homophobia, that his government had issued visas to two Chechens who had been persecuted on the basis of their sexual orientation. Days later, he told EUObserver that governments, institutions and organizations across the EU were working together to help others, although details of the arrangement and any actions taken remain secret.