Rights advocates urge release of LGBTI+ activist facing repatriation to Iran

Click to read the article in Turkish

Elyas Torabibaeskendari, an Iranian LGBTI+ activist, was detained during the 21st İstanbul Pride March held on June 25. Despite having international protection status, Torabibaeskendari now faces the risk of being deported back to their country.

Family members and human rights organizations held a press conference in İstanbul to advocate for Torabibaeskendari's release, emphasizing that their extradition would be contrary to international agreements and called on authorities to set the activist free.

Torabibaeskendari's mother, Ashraf Abudzadeh, and sister, Andisneh Torabibaeskendari, also raised concerns about the treatment they received at the deportation center. "Elyas called us before being sent to the Urfa Repatriation Center. They hadn't provided them with water or food for 17 hours. They said they were mistreated."

"We are deeply worried about our children and we are asking everyone for help. I want to do everything I can for my child. I am not only concerned for my own child but for everyone there," said Abudzadeh.

Torabibaeskendari was one of five foreign nationals who were detained during the Pride March, which resulted in the detention of over 100 individuals.

Threat of execution

Lawyers highlighted the dangers Torabibaeskendari would face if they were to be deported to Iran, where being part of the LGBT+ community is criminalized, and the highest penalty is execution.

Çağır Tekin, a member of the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD) in İstanbul, said, "Despite the fact that Elyas is under the threat of torture and execution, which makes their deportation impossible according to international treaties and national legislation, the state is trying to deport Elyas."

Tekin also said that Torabibaeskendari was taken to the Urfa Repatriation Center without the knowled of their lawyers.

International agreements

Eren Keskin, co-chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD), reminded that Turkey is a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention, stating that refugees at risk of grave danger cannot be deported. Keskin asserted that Torabibaeskendari should not even be sent to a deportation center and said, "Extraditing Elyas to Iran is a vital issue."

Bilal Yıldız, one of the lawyers from İHD, pointed out that Torabibaeskendari, who has protected status, is registered in İstanbul, and taking them to a deportation center in Urfa was a "serious problem."

Yıldız highlighted that the fact that Torabibaeskendari is not allowed to meet with their lawyers and has no healthy communication with his family indicates a violation of both the Constitution and international treaties on safeguards against torture. "We are deeply concerned about their safety at the moment," Yıldız added.

"We know that if Elyas is sent to Iran due to his sexual orientation, they will face severe torture and might even be sentenced to death. Release Elyas immediately and put an end to these violations against refugees and all these violations against the LGBT+ community," he demanded.

"We're here to stay"

Tuna Bulut, a member of the Pride Week Committee, said, "Many of our friends were arbitrarily detained in various areas such as Beşiktaş, Cihangir, Beyoğlu, and Şişli. Among them were five refugees.

"It is an existence that the state is struggling to accept, and as a result, we have been subjected to attacks throughout the month of June in various parts of Turkey during our activities and marches. We are not afraid of any of these.

"As LGBT+ rights advocates and individuals fighting for our existence, we will continue to fight every day, just as we have in the past, today, and in the future."

"Yes, we will never give up our struggle until Elyas and our other friends are released. We, as queer individuals, do not hide or conceal our existence. We were here, we are here, and we will continue to be here. And once again, we say: Get used to it, make peace with it, we are here and we're not going anywhere."

"More solidarity"

Oğulcan YedivevenS a member of SPoD, said, "The government and the state, as usual, are trying to divide us by attacking the weakest among us, and we know that pride marches are the places where refugee queers and queers from Turkey come together, meet, and perhaps start organizing.

"From the very beginning, they are trying to prevent us from coming together with this policy of suppression. But today, the crowded room here shows that despite being the most targeted and seemingly the weakest among us, we continue to demonstrate our solidarity by supporting each other. And it will continue to be like this."

"Not allowed to meet with his lawyers"

Oya Ersoy, the secretary of the İHD's İstanbul branch, said that after Torabibaeskendari was detained, their family applied to the association, and both their association and lawyers from ÖHD took action and went to the Taksim Beyoğlu Police Headquarters to meet with the activist.

Ersoy also noted that the lawyers' attempts to meet with Torabibaeskendari in Urfa were unsuccessful.

Torture in Iran

Ersoy stated that Elyas migrated to Turkey due to severe torture they and their mother experienced in Iran and sought international protection.

She mentioned that Torabibaeskendari's family has been living in Turkey as "conditional refugees" since 2013. Ersoy emphasized the risk of execution and life-threatening dangers that would arise if Torabibaeskendari is deported.

"We are concerned that they may have been subjected to torture during this process and we fear the possibility of deportation. We demand that the official authorities disclose where and under what conditions Elyas is being held and that they be released immediately." (EMK/VK)