Human rights organizations are concerned that the Taliban’s new control of the Afghan government will lead to instances of extreme violence directed at members of the LGBTQI+ community in Afghanistan’s, while LGBTQ Afghans say they fear for their lives now and that they may be “killed on the spot.” ”
Afghanistan’s gay community fears for their lives after Taliban takeover
The Taliban is a politico-religious movement and military organization known for enforcing extreme Islamic ideals, including Sharia law.
Under Article 130 of the Afghan Constitution, courts could rely on Sharia law to impose the death penalty for zina (adultery).
According to a report published by ILGA World (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association), consensual same-sex sexual acts can be interpreted as a form of zina.
Just last month, a judge in central Afghanistan told the German newspaper Bild that gay men should be crushed to death by having walls knocked down on them.
A 21-year-old man named Abdul told the BBC Radio 1 program this week that he was preparing to visit his boyfriend, whom he met at a swimming pool three years ago.
But now, after Taliban forces gained control of Kabul, he said he is too afraid to leave his home.
“As a gay person in Afghanistan, you can’t come out, not even to your family or friends,” he said. “If I come out to my family, maybe they will beat me, maybe they will kill me.”
Her father, who used to work for the government, had to go into hiding for fear of the Taliban.
Most of the women she knows have also stopped leaving the house.
“Even if the Taliban accept a woman in the government, in the school, they will never accept gay or LGBT people,” he said. “They will kill them all on the spot.”
Rainbow Railroad, a nonprofit that works to help people facing persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, worries that this looming crisis will lead to an increase in requests for help.
