Introduction
Amid the towering walls of denial and hatred, voices have risen that not only bear witness to suffering but embody resilience. One such voice is that of Mehra Barkzai, a member of the gender minority community who courageously stood against Afghanistan’s patriarchal society to advocate for the rights of sexual and gender minorities. In the face of the Taliban’s relentless violence against the LGBTQ+ community, Mehra neither remained silent nor retreated. Her words are a testament to profound pain and unwavering resistance—a human, documented, and inspiring narrative of standing firm against discrimination, denial, and oppression.
Methodology and Production Team
This interview was conducted online and in writing on July 8, 2025, in a secure, encrypted environment. The conversation took place directly between the researcher and the interviewee, with no interference in the content of the responses. All statements have been recorded with the authenticity of the interviewee’s expression preserved. This text is the result of a meticulous documentation process, aimed at recording and amplifying the resistance of women and LGBTQ+ individuals against totalitarian and gender-oppressive systems, particularly the Taliban regime, while adhering to human rights principles and ethical research standards.
• Writer and Content Manager: Nasrin Faramarz, Independent Researcher, MA in Criminal Law and Criminology, and Member of the Leadership Board of the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement
• Coordinator and Consultant: Hoda Khamosh, Writer and Founder of the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement
Interview Questions and Responses
1. Please introduce yourself and explain how you entered the path of human rights activism.
I am Mehra Barkzai, and for the past five years, I have been fighting for the rights of Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community. I began my activism in Afghanistan, driven by the severe injustices I witnessed. Even today, human rights activists have not stood beside the LGBTQ+ community or advocated for their rights. This was deeply upsetting to me. I thought to myself that I must become the voice for these individuals—people who have always lived under oppression, victims of a patriarchal system, much like women. However, unlike women, who have had some minimal supportive laws, the LGBTQ+ community has been denied even basic human rights.
2. How would you describe the situation of the LGBTQ+ community in Afghanistan under Taliban rule?
Under the Taliban’s rule, the situation for the LGBTQ+ community is catastrophic and horrific. They are killed, live in constant fear, and suffer severe depression. Many are too afraid to leave their homes, accepting a slow death because they lack the courage to go out even for daily necessities. Some fled to Pakistan, but even there, some were killed. The killing of LGBTQ+ individuals continues in Afghanistan, but the media remains silent, and the world’s eyes and ears are closed to these atrocities, making the situation even more complex and terrifying.
3. How do you assess the legal status of the LGBTQ+ community under the Republic and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan?
The queer community has always lived under an apartheid system, both during the Republic and under the Taliban, who have also created an apartheid system for women. Families often reject or kill their queer children. Many are forced into sex work and are killed there. The police, instead of helping, were complicit in these crimes. The Taliban deny our existence, whipping, assaulting, and killing us because of our gender identity. There are numerous cases of suicide within our community in Afghanistan.
4. How has your fight against the dire situation of the queer community in Afghanistan been? What dangers have you faced?
My struggle is on multiple fronts: against Afghan society that suppresses us, human rights activists who remain silent about us, and the Taliban who pose a constant threat. I have been attacked multiple times, even in Switzerland, where my home was targeted. Human rights activists must recognize our identity and stand with us.
5. Have you been able to amplify the voices of Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community to media, international organizations, and other human rights bodies? What have been your experiences?
Yes, I have raised the voice of Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community to the United Nations, media, the International Criminal Court, and other human rights organizations. In 2023, during a discussion with the UN, the issue of LGBTQ+ rights in Afghanistan was raised for the first time in history—a significant achievement for our community.
6. What achievements, however small, have you accomplished in your advocacy for Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community? What motivates you?
I have achieved significant milestones. The most important is that people are now talking about Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community—a huge step forward. Another proud moment was my second strike in Berlin in September 2024, which lasted 11 days and resulted in most of my demands being met. I am currently writing my first book about my personal life and the Afghan queer community, which will be the first literary work by an LGBTQ+ Afghan.
7. What are the greatest threats or limitations facing you and other activists for LGBTQ+ rights in Afghanistan?
The biggest threat is the lack of support from other activists. Many women’s rights and civil activists avoid collaborating with us due to fear or ignorance. Lack of financial resources, limited access to international organizations, and exclusive networks are major challenges. I must work to sustain myself and fund my activism, leaving little time for others to focus on advocacy when survival is their primary concern.
8. In your vision, what are the most critical needs of Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community? If the Taliban regime falls, what changes would occur for this community?
The most critical need is the establishment and enforcement of protective laws to ensure our rights and safety. We need protection from violence, rejection, and torture. Gender diversity education must be integrated into the school system so children learn early that humans have diverse gender identities, fostering coexistence and reducing violence. If the Taliban falls and these protections are implemented, significant changes are possible for our community.
9. If you could say one sentence to Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ community living in fear and hiding, what would it be?
You are strong. You have fought society, family, and the streets and still stand tall. You are making history in the fight against the Taliban. Accept yourself—it may be hard, but it’s never impossible. You are an inspiration to the world, and I have learned from you.
10. Do you have a message or advice for the global community, human rights defenders, or international policymakers?
The global community must recognize the social and political presence of LGBTQ+ individuals in policymaking—not just for their own rights but for peace, education, economy, and society. When this presence is established, societies will become more humane, realizing that LGBTQ+ people are not outsiders but part of humanity. Do not engage with the Taliban, a terrorist group, and do not politicize human rights. Learn from Iran’s experience to prevent future atrocities. To other activists: recognize gender diversity, educate yourselves, and do not exclude us from your struggles.
final Words
In an era where truth is suppressed and voices are silenced, narratives like Mehra Barkzai’s are not only a light in the darkness but also documents for the future. We hope these records will serve as the voice of victims in courts of justice, shaking the world in silence. May these voices never be silenced, and from this darkness, may a dawn of freedom and equality arise.
