November 23, 2023
I am a disabled lesbian woman living in Turkey as a refugee since 2014.
After a prolonged wait of nine years, my asylum application has been regrettably rejected by the Turkish Immigration Department. This policy change occurred in 2018 when the UNHCR delegated its decision-making powers to the Turkish authorities. Consequently, the government has suspended my access to medical insurance and identification documents. Alarmingly, the Turkish government is now considering transferring us to the Iranian authorities.
In Iran, the penalties for homosexuality are severe and can include flogging, imprisonment, torture, and even execution.
My partner and I are in a dire situation and urgently require legal representation to avert our deportation to Iran. Unfortunately, as refugees, we are barred from legal employment in Turkey. We are reaching out for your support to shield us from the Iranian regime. Our immediate needs include medical care, treatment, and legal fees, all of which we must cover independently.
We have sought assistance from several organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Amnesty International, the Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM), and the Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM). However, our pleas have not been met with the support we desperately need. In light of this, we are turning to the global community for help.
We cannot face the prospect of returning to Iran, where our lives and freedom are at stake for simply loving whom we love. We are not criminals; being homosexual is not a crime.
Your support can make a significant difference in our lives. If you are able, please consider donating to our cause:https://gofund.me/ad35ff3f
Thank you for your kindness and solidarity.