Afghanistan is a country where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death under Sharia law. This law has been enforced in the past via the former Republic government of Afghanistan penal code[1], and there are reports of LBQ individuals being targeted and subjected to violence and discrimination. In addition, women in Afghanistan face significant gender-based violence and discrimination and at times are subject to the death sentence. In fact, the situation has exacerbated for LBQ individuals.
The Taliban’s takeover of the country has further worsened the situation for LBQ individuals in Afghanistan. The interpretation of the Sharia law made by the Taliban is particularly harsh, and they have a history of targeting LBQ individuals. The Taliban’s treatment of LBQ individuals has been documented by human rights organizations, with reports of LBQ individuals being executed or subjected to brutal punishments, including stoning and whipping.
Fatima, a 26-year-old lesbian, has an uncle who is a prominent religious leader allied with the Taliban. From the moment the Taliban has returned to power, “the world has become a dark abyss for me that is trying to swallow my dreams, my happiness, my peace, my achievements, my education, my job,” says Fatima. At the time she was working in a local university, but was forced out of her job and replaced by a man who is a Taliban loyalist.
Continue reading at: https://www.freiheit.org/south-asia/dark-abyss-which-swallowed-my-dreams (Source)
Listening to Lesbians 