Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, the lives of LGBTQ individuals have been marked by escalating violence, abuse, and fear. Many face torture, sexual violence, and imprisonment solely for their identity. This article explores the personal stories of LGBTQ Afghans and the broader context of their persecution under the Taliban regime.
1. A Night of Fear and Trauma
In August 2024, Sohrab, a 19-year-old Afghan, was detained in Kabul’s Pul-e-Charkhi prison. He had been arrested for sodomy after his family discovered his romantic relationship with another man. While in detention, Sohrab endured horrific sexual violence. A Taliban member repeatedly raped him, threatening him with death if he spoke out.
After enduring two months of torture, Sohrab was released but warned that any further accusations would result in his execution. Like many LGBTQ Afghans, he fled the country, but even in exile, he remains in constant fear. Many neighboring countries also criminalize homosexuality, leaving him without a true refuge.
2. Widespread Abuse in Detention
Sohrab’s experience reflects the reality faced by many LGBTQ Afghans. Since 2021, human rights organizations have documented numerous cases of LGBTQ individuals being targeted, arrested, and abused. Reports detail instances of rape, electrocution, flogging, and beatings during detention. Transgender and gender non-conforming people are particularly vulnerable, often stopped at Taliban checkpoints due to their appearance.
The Taliban government has denied these allegations, calling them fabrications. However, evidence from human rights groups paints a starkly different picture. Organizations like Roshaniya and Afghan LGBT Organization have documented over 800 instances of violence against LGBTQ individuals since the Taliban’s return to power.
3. Sexual Violence as a Weapon
Experts suggest that sexual violence is used by the Taliban as a tool of repression. While they publicly condemn LGBTQ relationships as un-Islamic, some Taliban members themselves perpetrate sexual violence against men and boys. This hypocrisy underscores their use of abuse as a means of control and humiliation, rather than religious adherence.
Neela Ghoshal, a senior director at Outright International, describes such acts as “bias-motivated rape,” intended to punish and silence LGBTQ individuals. These assaults are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic effort to oppress Afghanistan’s LGBTQ community.
4. The Taliban’s Increasingly Systematic Persecution
Under Afghanistan’s previous government, same-sex relationships were already punishable by up to two years in prison. However, the Taliban’s resurgence has brought harsher punishments and systematic targeting of LGBTQ people. Taliban judges have publicly stated that homosexuality should be punished by stoning or execution, while others have suggested milder enforcement—a claim contradicted by numerous accounts of brutal violence.
Since 2021, Afghan LGBT Organization has verified more than 50 cases of LGBTQ detentions and is investigating 150 additional reports. Detainees are often tracked through social media, phone content, or tips from community members.
Abdul, a 22-year-old gay man, recounted how the Taliban found LGBTQ content on his social media during a search. He was detained and subjected to daily beatings and strangulation. His ordeal ended after six months in prison, only when a friend paid a $1,200 bribe to secure his release. However, his family rejected him upon his return, leaving him to live in hiding.
5. The Hidden Torture Chambers
Many abuses occur in secret, away from public scrutiny. Sano, a 24-year-old Afghan, was detained in a private Taliban house on the outskirts of Jalalabad. Over 15 days, he endured beatings and witnessed other LGBTQ detainees being tortured and, in some cases, killed.
The Taliban’s informal detention facilities often lack official documentation, making it nearly impossible to track these cases or hold perpetrators accountable. Activists say this creates a “black box” for human rights violations, where abuses remain hidden from the world.
6. Survival Amidst Fear
For LGBTQ individuals who manage to escape Afghanistan, life remains perilous. Many flee to countries where homosexuality is also criminalized, leaving them vulnerable to further persecution. Sohrab’s story, like others, highlights the lack of safe havens for LGBTQ Afghans.
Organizations such as Roshaniya and Outright International work tirelessly to relocate LGBTQ refugees to safer countries. Since 2021, Roshaniya has helped over 250 individuals find refuge abroad. However, the demand for assistance far exceeds the resources available, leaving many trapped in dangerous situations.
7. A Call for Action
Human rights advocates are urging international organizations to prioritize LGBTQ perspectives in their engagement with Afghanistan. Despite numerous reports of abuse, LGBTQ voices are often excluded from global discussions about Afghanistan’s human rights crisis.
In February, Afghan LGBT Organization and Outright International submitted a letter to the United Nations, calling for greater inclusion of LGBTQ issues in peacebuilding efforts. However, meaningful action remains limited, leaving Afghanistan’s LGBTQ community to face their struggles alone.
8. Conclusion
Life for LGBTQ individuals under the Taliban is a daily battle for survival. They endure unimaginable suffering, often in silence, with little hope of justice or safety. As the Taliban intensifies its crackdown on marginalized groups, the world must not turn a blind eye.
Activists and international organizations must continue to advocate for the rights and safety of Afghanistan’s LGBTQ community. Only through sustained global attention and support can we hope to create a future where they can live without fear.
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