Save an Iraqi LGBTQ activist from deportation and imprisonment
Canada
We are raising funds for a friend living in Turkey. He is an LGBTQ ally and activist, Iraqi refugee, and director of a grassroots organization. He has been in Turkey for 13 years.
Earlier this month, the Turkish immigration office informed him that the Ankara office rejected his file during a re-evaluation process. Turkey has been deporting thousands of Iraqis in the past couple of years because they don’t consider Iraq to be a war zone any longer.
However, in May 2024, Iraq passed an anti LGBTQ law which punishes organizations or activists who work with the LGBTQ community. The penalty is 7 years in prison. Our friend’s work on LGBTQ and refugee issues in Turkey has been very public and his work has received international, Turkish and Iraqi media attention. This puts him in a very precarious and dangerous situation should he be forced to return to his country.
He has two options – to appeal the decision in court within 30 days or return to Iraq in 15 days. He has found a lawyer to start the appeal process but fees are expensive and there are 3 separate applications to be processed and considered.
Legal fees are estimated to be around $2000 USD. He also has to get documents translated and notarized, pay for court fees and transportation costs.
We are part of his sponsor group in Canada and there is a process underway to bring him to Canada as a refugee. Please support our friend so he is not forced to return to a dangerous situation in Iraq.
Margaret Blender
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$4,000.00
Funding Goal -
$0.00
Funds Raised -
0
Days to go -
Campaign Never Ends
Campaign End Method
Product Description
Canada
We are raising funds for a friend living in Turkey. He is an LGBTQ ally and activist, Iraqi refugee, and director of a grassroots organization. He has been in Turkey for 13 years.
Earlier this month, the Turkish immigration office informed him that the Ankara office rejected his file during a re-evaluation process. Turkey has been deporting thousands of Iraqis in the past couple of years because they don’t consider Iraq to be a war zone any longer.
However, in May 2024, Iraq passed an anti LGBTQ law which punishes organizations or activists who work with the LGBTQ community. The penalty is 7 years in prison. Our friend’s work on LGBTQ and refugee issues in Turkey has been very public and his work has received international, Turkish and Iraqi media attention. This puts him in a very precarious and dangerous situation should he be forced to return to his country.
He has two options – to appeal the decision in court within 30 days or return to Iraq in 15 days. He has found a lawyer to start the appeal process but fees are expensive and there are 3 separate applications to be processed and considered.
Legal fees are estimated to be around $2000 USD. He also has to get documents translated and notarized, pay for court fees and transportation costs.
We are part of his sponsor group in Canada and there is a process underway to bring him to Canada as a refugee. Please support our friend so he is not forced to return to a dangerous situation in Iraq.
Margaret Blender
| ID | Name | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1244 | Listing Agent | [email protected] | |
| 1215 | Listing Agent | [email protected] |
