January 2022 · Rainbow Voice Afghanistan
KABUL — A major human-rights report has documented widespread abuse against LGBTQI+ Afghans following the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
The report drew on 60 interviews and described threats, physical attacks, detention, family violence, forced displacement and severe barriers to protection.
The findings showed that many LGBTQI+ Afghans were forced into hiding, while others attempted to leave the country through dangerous and uncertain routes.
People interviewed for the report described threats from Taliban members, relatives and local communities.
Some said they had been beaten, detained or threatened with death. Others reported that family members used the change in government as an opportunity to punish or control them.
Many interviewees said they were afraid to leave home because their appearance, voice, relationships or past social-media activity could expose them.
Transgender and gender-nonconforming Afghans faced particular danger because hiding their identity was often difficult.
Differences between appearance and official documents created risks at checkpoints, during travel and when seeking services.
Some people reported changing their clothing, cutting their hair or limiting all public movement in an attempt to avoid attention.
The report found that family members were sometimes a direct source of abuse.
LGBTQI+ people described beatings, confinement, forced marriage and threats of being reported to the Taliban.
Because families often control housing and finances, many survivors had few safe alternatives.
Those who fled Afghanistan often arrived in neighboring countries without secure legal status or sufficient resources.
Many struggled to pay rent, find work or access healthcare while waiting for protection decisions.
The report warned that refugees could remain vulnerable to exploitation and forced return.
The report called on governments and international organizations to create safe pathways for LGBTQI+ Afghans at risk.
It also urged authorities to protect applicants’ confidentiality, recognize identity-based persecution and avoid returning people to danger.
Community advocates say the findings remain important because many of the risks documented in the report continue to affect LGBTQI+ Afghans inside the country and in displacement.