Do Not Deport Elias Torabi BaEskandari!
490
Signatures
500
Goal
To the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Turkey and the General Public,
On Sunday, June 25, 2023, Turkish police arrested dozens of individuals participating in the pride parade in Istanbul. Among those detained were five asylum seekers and immigrants from Libya, Russia, Australia, Portugal, and Iran, who were subsequently transferred to deportation centers. One of these detainees, Elias Torabi BaEaskandari, is an Iranian asylum seeker who was moved to a deportation camp in Şanlıurfa province after their arrest at the Istanbul pride parade. We express grave concern that if Elias is sent back to Iran, they will be subject to the archaic laws of the Islamic Republic, including the potential risk of execution.
Elias' lawyer, Dawood Aslan, spoke to BBC Persian, expressing frustration over the current situation. Despite concerted efforts, the repatriation center's authorities have denied access to Elias, citing Eid al-Adha as a reason. This hindrance has further complicated matters. Aslan stated, "We have one week to contest the verdict. Elias was relocated to the deportation center last week. The forthcoming Monday is crucial for us. If we fail to register our objection in court, we might lose this right, which could expedite Elias' deportation to Iran."
As a member of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Turkish government has an obligation to support and aid refugees and asylum seekers within its borders. In partnership with the European Union, the Turkish government has allotted substantial resources for refugee assistance. However, LGBTQAI+ refugees face numerous challenges and hardships, seemingly exacerbated by the Turkish government. At a time when LGBTQAI+ refugees are facing increasing pressure, we implore organizations asserting their advocacy for these rights not to remain silent about the Turkish government's deportation of LGBTQAI+ individuals to countries hostile to this community.
As petition signatories, we express our concern regarding the deportation of Elias Torabi BaEskandari to Iran and the risk of facing the death sentence. We urge the Turkish government to fulfill its obligations to the UNHCR and human rights principles by enacting immediate measures to safeguard the lives of Elias and other LGBTQAI+ refugees. We further call on the international community and the general public to advocate for the rights, safety, and well-being of the most vulnerable among us by raising public awareness.June 30, 2023
Primary signatories:
Mehran Hamidi, political activist and Rainbow movement activist from Isfahan
Yavar Khosrowshahi
Iranian Rainbows, The movement to defend the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals, trans people and queers
Tala, queer civil activist
Nima Nia, queer activist
Rezvaneh Mohammadi, LGBTQ+ rights activist
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Province Number of signatures Alborz 8 Ardabil 3 Bushehr 5 Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari 0 East Azerbaijan 7 Fars 6 Gilan 9 Golestan 6 Hamadan 2 Hormozgan 2 Ilam 2 Isfahan 13 Kerman 0 Kermanshah 0 Khuzestan 2 Kohgiluyehv And Boyer Ahmad 0 Kurdistan 0 Lorestan 1 Markazi 1 Mazandaran 6 North Khorasan 1 Qazvin 3 Qom 1 Razavi Khorasan 11 Semnan 3 Sistan and Baluchestan 1 South Khorasan 1 Tehran 98 West Azerbaijan 3 Yazd 1 Zanjan 2 This petition has received 490 signatures so far. Approximately 65% of signatures come from Iran. Approximately 35% of signatures come from outside of Iran. Learn how Daadkhast generates signature maps. -
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امضا با تلگرام
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A Groupd of Iranian LGBTQ+ Activists started this petition
امضا با تلگرام