the distressing situation faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Afghanistan, particularly under the Taliban regime. The accounts you shared highlight the grave risks and challenges they encounter daily, including persecution, violence, and constant fear for their lives.
Rainbow Railroad Organizations play a crucial role in providing support and assistance to LGBTQI+ individuals in such difficult circumstances. Their efforts to facilitate resettlement, and offer financial aid, shelter, mental health support, and other forms of assistance are commendable. It is heartening to know that Rainbow Railroad has been able to help a significant number of Afghans seek safety in other countries.
According to Rainbow Railroad Organizations Report ‘’on August 15, 2021, LGBTQI+ people have continued to face severe persecution, including physical assaults, sexual violence, and reported unlawful killings. From August 2021 onward, Rainbow Railroad facilitated the relocation of 264 Afghans for resettlement to safer countries. We also provided 648 Afghans with financial assistance, shelter support, mental health support, and other forms of assistance. ‘’
‘’Discrimination against LGBTQI+ people in Afghanistan’’
The #SafeWayOut campaign and advocacy initiatives carried out by Rainbow Railroad, including addressing Members of Parliament and meeting with government officials, demonstrate the dedication and determination to create expedited pathways for LGBTQI+ refugees from Afghanistan. These efforts are essential in raising awareness and pressuring governments to act.
According to Rainbow Railroad Organization Reporter ‘’ By September 2022, Rainbow Railroad had received more than 5,400 requests for help from Afghanistan.’’
‘’Without official routes to safety for those requesting help, we continued to provide non-monetary and monetary assistance.’’
‘’We operated safe houses in nearby countries for those able to escape. As a final push, we released the “No Safe Way Out” report.’’
‘’This research report was based on 1,739 requests for help submitted to Rainbow Railroad from August 2021 to August 2022 by Afghans who were in Afghanistan at the time they made their request. Individual accounts included in this report detail the multiple tactics use d by the Taliban to identify and find LGBTQI+ people, including social media photos or videos, during searches of belongings and cellphones at checkpoints, and through emboldening community members to surveil and report on LGBTQI+ people.’’
The stories of individuals like Aseer, who faced immense danger and found refuge through Rainbow Railroad’s support, highlight the urgent need for assistance. It’s disheartening to know that thousands of requests for help were received, with limited official routes available for those seeking safety. The release of the “No Safe Way Out” report further sheds light on the dangerous conditions faced by LGBTQI+ people in Afghanistan.
The struggle and isolation expressed by the young gay man in his request for help are truly heartbreaking. His longing for acceptance, safety, and the desire to bring about positive change in Afghanistan are poignant reminders of the dreams and aspirations that are unjustly threatened by persecution.
While the situation in Afghanistan is complex and challenging, raising awareness, advocating for expedited resettlement pathways, and supporting organizations like Rainbow Railroad can make a difference. It’s crucial for governments, international organizations, and individuals to continue working together to provide support and protection for LGBTQI+ individuals facing persecution in Afghanistan and other regions affected by similar crises.
