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September 17, 2021 · 3 min read

TGEU Concerned for the Rights and Safety of LGBTQI Afghans

Young Afghan woman wearing a pink veil

TGEU joins the global voices expressing concern over the human rights and safety situation in Afghanistan, particularly regarding marginalised groups such as women, children, and LGBTQI people.

Following the takeover of Kabul’s Palace by the Taliban last month, the media has been flooded with deeply saddening news and reports of thousands of Afghans trying to flee Kabul for fear of persecution. The UNHCR reports that there are 2.6 million registered Afghan refugees globally, and expects this number to exponentially rise given the current volatile security situation in the country.

TGEU is greatly disturbed by the potential setbacks to human rights, especially LGBTQI people, as the Taliban reportedly prepares to revert to strict implementation of Sharia Law. An ILGA world 2020 report lists Afghanistan as one of the countries where, “it is theoretically possible for consensual same-sex conduct to warrant a maximum death penalty.”  With the Taliban in power, there are fears that the lives of LGBTQI people are at risk of further persecution and ostracisation.

Given the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in the country, TGEU remains committed to supporting the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQI people, especially trans Afghans. TGEU also continues to be a strong ally of asylum seekers and refugees from around the world.

TGEU calls upon States, NGOs, civil society groups, and societies to intensify efforts to protect human rights and support those fleeing and those who are at risk. Additionally,

  • We call upon the new government to respect constitutional liberties and human rights, especially for women, girls, and LGBTQI people. We urge the government to abide by international laws and norms signed and ratified by Afghanistan, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • We compel states to strengthen their efforts to call for non-violence, denounce human rights violations in Afghanistan, and extend humanitarian support to those in transit and those unable to leave the country.
  • We urge EU member states to open borders and support safe pathways for exit to those who wish to leave, prioritising women, LGBTQI people, human rights defenders, and other vulnerable groups.
  • We remind European states of their moral and legal obligations under EU and International laws to establish and implement safe and regular routes to protect and ensure fair and humane asylum procedures for forcibly displaced Afghans. 
  • We encourage states to halt all deportations to Afghanistan and allow for the right to remain to the many asylum seekers or undocumented Afghans who have been waiting for decisions for long periods of time.
  • We appeal to all individuals and communities, LGBTQI people included, to extend solidarity and support to Afghan refugees and asylum seekers everywhere, and to Afghans in and outside the country.

For further comment, contact Lukas Berredo, TGEU Communications Coordinator, at lukas@tgeu.org.