A group of LGBTQ Afghans have been protesting in the capital of Pakistan this week. They are urging the UK and other developed nations to give asylum to more than 1,000 LGBTQ Afghans trying to flee the Taliban-ruled country.
Protesters shared stories of persecution, rape and torture when discussing the dangers LGBTQ+ people face in Afghanistan. A 24-year old protester revealed that her friend was kidnapped, raped and found dead hanging from a tree the following day.
The Islamabad protest was initially supposed to take place outside of the British embassy but was moved after pressure from the Pakistani authorities.
This Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the Taliban regaining control of Afghanistan after a 20-year American occupation. Protesters estimate that Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community will have been eradicated in two years if nothing changes.
Organizers revealed that they are aware of more than 1000 LGBTQ+ Afghans who are either stuck in Afghanistan or in limbo as refugees in Iran, Pakistan or Turkey. The protesters are calling for the UK government to grant asylums to at least 200 of those refugees but claim that their pleas have been rejected thus far.
Western nations have refused to recognize the Taliban’s rule, partially due to the groups egregious crimes against human rights.