Two prominent activists from the Afghan LGBTQ+ community have been arrested by the Taliban, igniting widespread concern for their safety. Maryam Ravish [pictured, right, with partner Parwen Hussaini, from Peter Tatchell Foundation], a 19-year-old lesbian, and Maeve Alcina Pieescu, a 23-year-old trans woman, were taken into custody in Kabul on March 20 while attempting to board a flight to Iran, where they had intended to seek refuge.
The activists were reportedly detained by the Taliban’s intelligence unit, who discovered LGBTQ+ content on their phones during a search. Following the discovery, both women were subjected to physical violence, raising fears for their ongoing safety and wellbeing. Their arrest followed their plans to flee Afghanistan with the assistance of Roshaniya, an Afghan LGBTQ+ network. Maryam's partner, Parwen Hussaini, who is also an activist, managed to escape and board the flight to Iran ahead of Maryam and Maeve.
Nemat Sadat, CEO of Roshaniya, described the dire circumstances surrounding the arrests, noting that both women are expected to face severe torture in an attempt to extract information about other members of the LGBTQ+ community in Afghanistan. The potential consequences for both Maryam and Maeve could include long-term imprisonment or even execution.
In a video message sent from Iran, Parwen expressed her desperation, highlighting the threats to her life from both her family and the families of Maryam. "It is possible they would be placed in solitary confinement and stoned to death," she stated, indicating the gravity of their situation.
Concerns have also been voiced by Maeve's sister, Susan Battaglia, currently residing in Michigan, USA. Battaglia expressed her anxiety over Maeve's imprisonment, stating, "My family in Afghanistan is very anxious about Maeve being tortured and killed." She also shared that during the interrogations, Maeve revealed she does not identify as a Muslim, a declaration that could further endanger her given the harsh penalties associated with apostasy under Taliban rule.
The current episode underscores the brutal reality faced by those part of the LGBTQ+ community in Afghanistan, particularly under the Taliban regime's stringent interpretation of Sharia law. Nemat Sadat explained that Maryam had previously been forced into a heterosexual marriage, a situation not uncommon for LGBTQ+ individuals in the country. "Maryam tried to escape, and Maeve, a trans person, helped her at great personal risk," Sadat noted. "Now they face the death penalty for simply wanting to be free and happy."
As the activists remain in Taliban custody, Roshaniya and the Peter Tatchell Foundation are working together to raise awareness of their plight and advocate for their release. Sadat has appealed to global human rights organisations and LGBTQ+ groups to amplify their story and apply pressure on the Taliban for their liberation.
Source: Noah Wire Services