This interview series is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) through a project entitled ‘Placement, Preservation and Perseverance: Afghan at-risk Scholars, Students and Activists’ (PPP) based in the Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University
Nimrokh: To start, could you please introduce yourself to our audience and share the journey that led you to become a recognized advocate and activist for equality and LGBT rights?
Artemis Akbary: My parents moved to Iran in 1996. Growing up as an Afghan immigrant and a member of the LGBT community in Iran, life was tough. In Iran, homosexuality is punishable by death, and in Afghanistan, by imprisonment. I realized I was homosexual when I was 17 or 18, but it took time to come to terms with it due to the lack of resources and support. I experienced a lot of violence and discrimination from those around me and society at large. At 20, I fled to Turkey to start a new life, free from violence, challenges, and harassment based on my sexual orientation.
Turkey, though modern, is deeply religious and traditional, with widespread opposition to the LGBT community. This environment prompted me to begin my activism. Having experienced discrimination and violence in Iran, I was determined to make a difference. As an asylum seeker in Turkey, I encountered similar challenges but also met many LGBT individuals from Afghanistan and beyond. It was here that I decided to support LGBT people in Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey. I began by assisting LGBT refugees in Turkey, helping them with translation, registration, asylum applications, and job searches. I also collaborated with Ranginkaman (Rainbow) Radio, a Farsi-language LGBT media outlet. Since 2020, I’ve managed its Afghanistan section, presenting educational programs and interviews aimed at changing Afghan attitudes.
When Afghanistan fell, we received numerous requests for help. As a media outlet, we couldn’t assist them. Instead, we founded the Afghan LGBT organization, ALO, to offer financial aid and evacuate individuals in danger. Due to my activism in Turkey, I faced violence and eventually moved to the Czech Republic. There, we officially registered ALO and started anew. Now, I’m studying international relations and politics in Europe, while my partner studies global challenges.
Nimrokh: How has been the legal and social status of the LGBT community in Afghanistan over the past two decades? Given the presence of human rights organizations, a free press, and a democratic system, how do you assess the situation?
Artemis Akbary: To provide a comprehensive view, let me start with the period before the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the first Taliban regime, and make a comparison between the two periods. In 1996, when the Taliban first took control of Afghanistan, there were numerous reports of severe repression against the LGBT community. For instance, in Kandahar, three individuals were buried alive for their same-sex relationships. In 1998, Mullah Omar ordered the execution of two men in Takhar province by crushing them under a wall; one of the victims was named Bismillah. These are just a few examples from that time.
When the US invaded Afghanistan and the Taliban regime fell, a republican system was established. Despite the advent of democracy, it failed to protect the LGBT community. Not only were there no protective laws, but existing laws criminalized same-sex relationships, leading to imprisonment and further violence. The government and law enforcement were complicit in these abuses. Afghan security forces and police arbitrarily harassed LGBT individuals. During my time at Rainbow Radio, I interviewed many people who recounted experiences of sexual harassment and extortion by the Afghan police. Those who dressed differently or stood out were often detained, taken to police stations, and sexually assaulted.
I recall a trans woman named Sara who shared her harrowing experience with me. She recounted how two policemen arrested her, took her to the station, and repeatedly raped her. Sara pleaded for her release, but instead, they confiscated her phone and money before abandoning her in a different location. This is just one of many distressing stories we documented at Rainbow Radio, highlighting the pervasive sexual harassment by the police.
One particularly shocking account came from a trans woman in Herat. She revealed that an Afghan commander forced her to dance and then raped her during Bacha-bazi parties. Unfortunately, such stories are all too common in Afghanistan. Although the law technically required proof of a same-sex relationship and a legal process before sentencing someone to prison, many LGBT individuals were persecuted extrajudicially, and subjected to various forms of violence.
This violence often extended beyond the authorities to the LGBT community’s own families. Numerous individuals shared stories of being beaten and abused by their relatives. One narrator from Mazar-e-Sharif described how their father tried to kill them with a knife upon discovering their same-sex relationship. With the help of their sister, they managed to escape to Kabul, where they faced further harassment and violence on the streets and at work.
Another individual, now living in Sweden, told us how their brothers violently attacked them after discovering their messages with a partner on Facebook. They beat them, pulled their hair, and slammed their head against a wall. Family, supposed to be a source of safety, often became the epicenter of violence for LGBT individuals. Friends and extended family members also contribute to the harassment and abuse of LGBT individuals.
Many of these narratives, which may still be available on the Rainbow Radio website, reveal the severe trauma endured by the LGBT community in Afghanistan. These individuals often carry the scars of their abuse, experiencing nightmares and lasting emotional damage from the rapes and violence they suffered.
LGBT individuals in Afghanistan face significant challenges in educational environments, often unable to study effectively due to persistent harassment. In the workplace, the situation is equally dire. Trans people, in particular, struggle to find employment due to their appearance and style. Even when they do secure jobs, they frequently encounter sexual harassment or outright rejection based on their identity. This systemic discrimination forces many into economic hardship, pushing some towards sex work, where they also face violence and exploitation.
Under the Republic regime, the LGBT community received little to no support from either national or international organizations. Notably, UNAMA, present in Afghanistan for two decades, was reluctant to publish reports on the LGBT situation. This lack of advocacy and protection left the community in an extremely vulnerable position.
The fall of Afghanistan only exacerbated these issues. The Taliban’s return brought with it severe threats, including public statements in the early weeks of their regime declaring that same-sex relationships would be punishable by stoning or being crushed under a collapsing wall.
Nimrokh: Following Afghanistan’s recent fall to the Taliban, what specific challenges and hardships are currently faced by LGBT individuals in the country? How has the Taliban’s rule impacted freedoms within Afghanistan, given their single-sex, single-ethnicity, and narrow-minded ideology? Based on your communications and research, what insights can you share from the past three years?
Artemis Akbary: Since the Taliban regained control, there has been a disturbing surge in public violence targeting the LGBT community, which is well-documented. Human Rights Watch conducted interviews with 66 individuals which revealed shocking accounts, such as the case of Gholam, who was sexually assaulted and subsequently killed by the Taliban. This account was corroborated by family members of the victim who spoke to Human Rights Watch. Immediately after the fall, I personally received a call from Mohammad, a homosexual man, who described being stopped at Taliban checkpoints. They discovered photos and videos on his phone depicting his relationships with the LGBT community. He was then taken to a security base and subjected to whipping. Fortunately, he was able to secure his release. We have conducted numerous interviews since then and recently published a report on February 12, detailing the sexual assaults suffered by 16 individuals at the hands of the Taliban.
Using pseudonyms for their safety, one transgender woman, who identifies as Sufi, recounted being arrested and raped by six Taliban soldiers, including their commander. Another individual we assisted, now residing in Germany, originally from Bamyan, had lived in Iran. When they attempted to cross the Turkish border illegally, they were apprehended by police and deported back to Afghanistan. Tragically, Afghanistan fell to the Taliban just a few days later. They described themselves as having a more feminine style, which made them stand out. This vulnerability led to multiple instances of sexual assault, both in Herat and later in Kabul.
Recalling their ordeal, they recounted a particularly harrowing experience in Kabul where they were accosted while trying to buy a SIM card. They were forcibly taken to an undisclosed location, subjected to degrading treatment, physically assaulted, and sexually violated.
Another LGBT individual recounted a distressing incident when they went to the biometric section to obtain their passport. They described an older man in charge who initially touched their fingers during the biometric process. When they withdrew their hand in discomfort, the man stood up and proceeded to touch their body and genitals. This young person, aged only 19, was terrified and attempted to plead, but their pleas were ignored. The official did not complete their paperwork that day and insisted they return the following day to finish the process. This pattern of harassment continued for several weeks, during which the official persisted in his advances. Eventually, feeling helpless, the young man resorted to paying a bribe to expedite the completion of their paperwork.
Another heartbreaking story involves a trans man from Baghlan province who sought sex reassignment surgery. They endured immense suffering, including attempts to marry them off to a Taliban soldier. They faced repeated beatings due to their appearance. Our organization managed to secure their approval for asylum in Sweden, allowing them to escape Afghanistan. However, the trauma they experienced followed them. Since arriving in Sweden, they have attempted suicide 12 or 13 times, all stemming from a traumatic experience on their last day in Afghanistan at the airport. The Taliban stopped them, questioning, “Are you a woman or a man? What are you? Your appearance is different.” They took them to a room, stripped them naked, examined their genitals, and then raped them. This final act of violence left them deeply traumatized. For nearly two years in Sweden, they have struggled with severe depression and insomnia, repeatedly attempting suicide due to the horrors of that last day in Afghanistan. Such narratives are tragically common.
Our report highlights how systematically the Taliban use rape as a tool to oppress the LGBT community. These stories are from 2023. When I spoke at the Security Council, I shared that in 2022 alone, 66 individuals reported sexual assaults to us. Rape is just one tool; the Taliban employ various tools of oppression. We possess documents issued by Taliban courts detailing arrests, prison sentences, and whippings, which we’ve verified and shared with international organizations. These documents undeniably confirm the violence inflicted upon the LGBT community.
In the past, the Taliban executed their punishments publicly, where they could be filmed. Now, they carry out these acts in secret, away from the eyes of human rights organizations and the media, likely due to global pressures.
Nimrokh: Considering your attendance at various international meetings, engagements with organizations, and your activities over the past three years, how do you assess the role of the international community in supporting the LGBT community in Afghanistan? How effective has your advocacy been in garnering more attention to this issue? Do you have successful experiences that can be highlighted to gain further support from international institutions and organizations for the LGBT community in Afghanistan?
Artemis Akbary: The international community did little to nothing before the fall of Afghanistan, and their silence persisted afterward. When evacuations were conducted for journalists, foreign citizens, women’s rights activists, and human rights activists, the LGBT community was largely ignored. In response, we launched a campaign via social media, urging the global community to prioritize and evacuate LGBT individuals as well. This campaign proved highly successful, gaining attention from parliamentary representatives, international media, and organizations. Consequently, our organization established communication channels with these entities, leading to the evacuation of several LGBT individuals from Afghanistan.
For instance, Sweden accepted ten people, and we facilitated introductions for others to Spain, Canada, and Germany, initiating a gradual evacuation process. Additionally, we launched a fundraising campaign through international institutions and private donors, raising substantial funds. In the first year alone, we provided financial assistance to over 300 people, with similar support extended in 2022 and 2023. This aid predominantly covered their food expenses, accommodation, and travel costs. Despite being a small and entirely voluntary organization, our efforts have been notably successful.
However, international institutions and countries offered minimal help. We applied pressure on organizations like UNAMA and the UN Security Council, which did not address the LGBT community in their resolutions about Afghanistan. We specifically requested Feridun Sinirlioğlu to highlight LGBT issues in UN meetings and his reports, but he failed to do so.
The only positive development occurred during the UN Universal Periodic Review meeting in April. Some countries spoke out in support of the LGBT community, partly due to a shadow report we submitted to the United Nations in October last year. We also met with representatives from 15 countries, urging them to address LGBT issues at UN meetings.
The international community has forgotten the LGBT community and overlooked the fundamental principle that human rights are respected only when the rights of every society member are upheld. In Afghanistan, if anyone’s rights are violated, there is neither freedom nor equality. The LGBT community is not small; according to research by American psychologists, between 5 and 7 percent of any given population identifies as LGBT. Applying this to Afghan society reveals a significant population enduring oppression, yet international institutions remain silent.
Nimrokh: Besides your organization, are there other Afghan institutions actively working in this field? How is your communication and cooperation with them? Have you had joint meetings or discussions with women’s organizations to integrate LGBT issues into their agendas? How are your relations with these institutions and activists?
Artemis Akbary: The media plays a crucial role. Many in Afghanistan mistakenly believe the LGBT community is a Western import, a new phenomenon. This is not true; the community has always existed but remained hidden due to repression. In today’s world of social media, the internet, and media, more stories are coming to light. The media’s role is significant in changing perceptions and raising awareness.
In response to your question, I must clearly say yes, we have a very close collaboration with women’s rights activists. My colleagues and I believe that the root of the violence experienced by Afghan women and the LGBT community is the same: the systematic and extreme patriarchy that prevails in Afghanistan. This shared root of oppression unites us in a common struggle against a common enemy. We are all victims or survivors of patriarchal violence in Afghanistan. Our shared values and experiences have fostered strong collaborations. We often plead together at conferences, work together on resolutions and statements, and maintain close relationships. Additionally, we cooperate closely with other LGBT organizations and activists.
However, there are human rights organizations and women’s rights activists who ignore the LGBT community and sometimes even abuse us. This is deeply disheartening. I won’t name names, but I have personally faced abuse from those who consider themselves human rights or women’s rights activists. For instance, at a conference in Belgium, after my speech, a well-known women’s rights activist insulted me. We raised this issue with the conference officials. It’s painful to experience such behavior from someone supposedly aligned with human rights advocacy.
Similarly, after giving a speech at the European Parliament in the presence of Richard Bennett, I criticized him for not addressing LGBT issues in his report. The video of this speech is on my Instagram page. After the meeting, as I was leaving the corridor of the European Parliament, a person who considers himself a human rights activist mockingly asked me, “Are you homosexual? Are homosexuals speaking for us now?” Using “homosexual” derogatorily, he showed contempt and mockery. Often, we are denied the right to speak at various conferences or are ignored after speaking, with claims that there are more important issues like ethnic minorities or Afghan women. They often postpone discussions about the LGBT community to an unspecified future date.
Human rights should not be prioritized selectively; everyone’s life matters. While I am a Hazara, I don’t believe that the life of a Hazara should take precedence over that of a homosexual. Everyone’s life is a priority. Unfortunately, these views exist, and there is a need for dialogue within Afghan civil society to learn from each other and make the LGBT community a shared concern. Just as I, Artemis, do not need to be a woman to defend women’s rights, others do not need to be part of the LGBT community to advocate for our rights. We can all act on this issue, create this necessary dialogue, and work together to support the LGBT community.
Nimrokh: After the Taliban’s re-occupation of Afghanistan, the primary concern for those who left is to bring about fundamental change within Afghanistan, ensuring freedom and peace for all people, regardless of how they live. Given this, what political and governmental system do you propose for Afghanistan’s future that can guarantee a peaceful and free life for everyone, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, and religion?
Artemis Akbary: To secure a peaceful and free future for Afghanistan, two critical steps must be taken: restructuring the government and implementing transitional justice. A centralized government structure is inadequate for Afghanistan, given its diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity, and religion. I advocate for decentralization, either through a parliamentary system or a federal system. While the federal system faces valid criticisms, the parliamentary system allows all communities and minorities to have representation and ensure their voices are heard. In contrast, a presidential system and centralized government do not facilitate this inclusivity.
Furthermore, Afghanistan urgently requires a transitional justice process that addresses and acknowledges human rights violations and violence against women, religious and ethnic minorities, and the LGBT community. The experience of countries like Colombia underscores the importance of including the LGBT community in transitional justice efforts. Without justice being served, genuine peace and security will remain elusive in Afghanistan. To halt the cycle of violence, it is essential that people feel acknowledged for the injustices and crimes committed against them.
Nimrokh: In discussions with various protesters and women’s activists, it’s been highlighted that the root cause of all violence and crimes in Afghanistan lies in the application of religious and Islamic laws, whether by the Taliban or previous regimes. There is an expectation for Afghanistan to adopt a secular system in the future. What do you think about the use of the term “Islamic” in Afghanistan’s official name going forward? Do you believe religion should be separated from politics?
Artemis Akbary: Islam and religion are personal matters and should be relegated from the public sphere to the private lives of individuals. We must separate religion from politics. Afghanistan is a Muslim country, a fact we cannot deny and must respect. Criticizing religion publicly carries consequences and meets resistance. However, we can confine the role of religion and religious institutions to the private realm, allowing clerics to function within their domain while ensuring it does not interfere with politics and public affairs. Gradually and through a long-term, thoughtful process, we must disentangle religion from politics.
Any system with Islamic extensions risks perpetuating cycles of violence that oppress women, gender minorities, and religious minorities. Islam, like any religion, has diverse interpretations. Despite efforts to promote a moderate interpretation, a cleric might cite scripture to justify denying women education or enforcing punishments like stoning or death for the LGBT community. Reaffirming the use of “Islamic” adjective in Afghanistan’s official name would likely lead to the repression of LGBT community, Sikhs and other minorities. Therefore, personally, I believe Afghanistan should refrain from using “Islamic” as an adjective in its official name.
Nimrokh: Given the current situation, what measures and changes are necessary in Afghanistan’s international and domestic policies to establish an inclusive and fair political system?
Artemis Akbary: The international community must take some crucial steps. Firstly, honesty is paramount. Engagements like meetings between US and Taliban representatives, ongoing contacts with the Taliban by the European Union, and regular aid packages without transparency only serve to strengthen the Taliban regime. These clandestine interactions should cease immediately.
Secondly, the international community should refrain from recognizing the Taliban regime. Existing engagements with the Taliban must be dismantled and efforts should be focused on uniting Afghan opposition groups under a single institution and flag. It’s vital to bolster this alliance outside Afghanistan with international support, compelling the Taliban to engage in negotiations with them.
Nimrokh: You’ve raised critical points. As a final question, is there anything else you would like to add?
Artemis Akbary: Thank you. I want to emphasize to human rights activists and institutions that any human rights work must include the LGBT community. Human rights activities that do not consider the perspective of LGBT individuals are not truly inclusive. Currently, the LGBT community in Afghanistan lacks access to humanitarian aid. We must ensure they are included in all our efforts, understand their struggles, and recognize that human rights encompass LGBT rights.
Furthermore, no person should face violence, death, or rape because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many, including myself, have lost family due to this issue. I hope future generations will not endure the same hardships.
