Group pleads for governments to help free ‘tortured’ Afghan women

The LGBTQ+ immigration charity is appealing to the international government to help release two incarcerated Afghan women before being imprisoned or executed.

Mary Alim Rabish and Maebu Al-Sina Piesc, 23, were arrested and taken into custody by Afghan Taliban authorities after trying to flee to Iran in March.

To escape persecution, the pair were detained at a VIP terminal after attempting to board a flight at Kabul International Airport alongside Mariam’s partner, 20-year-old Parwen Husseini, who was custody, and authorities reportedly found evidence of LGBTQ+ content on personal devices.

Pinknews hears that Maryam and Maeve are still in custody and are being “tortured daily” with investigations still underway.

Nemat Sadat, CEO of Roshaniya, a nonprofit for LGBTQ+ Afghanistan protection, has urged governments and human rights groups around the world to help free the pair, who have been reportedly charged with homosexuality and apostasy. [rejecting Islam] crime.

“These charges could result in years of imprisonment, amputation of the limbs and even executions,” Sadatt said. “We appeal to the government and international human rights groups to pressure the Taliban to release them and deport them.”

According to the community-based equality index, Afghanistan is Second place For LGBTQ+ people around the world. Homosexuality in this country is punished by “long-term prison sentences” or death under Sharia law.

Maeve is said to be at a “high risk” of death after refusing to Islam during interrogation and torture. Sadatt says it is said that the Taliban shaved her head and allowed the hair on her face to “conform” to the country’s “patriarchal gender norms.”

She is also reportedly forced to read and recite the Holy Quran every day for “long term.”

Mariam’s current location is unknown, but Roshaniya says it is likely that she is being detained on the wings of a woman at Pal Echalki prison, which she says is “unconfirmed.” Both women are expected to face trial and sentence soon.

Perwen, who did that on a flight to Iran, reportedly risks returning to Afghanistan in June after her visa expires. If she is sent back, she risks facing death penalty.

“I’m trapped in Iran,” she says. “I don’t know what to do when my visa runs out. I’m desperate. I’m worried that my visa will be rounded up when it expires and will be deported to Afghanistan.”

Palwen further appealed to the government to pressure the Taliban to release Maeve and Mariam, saying where she would happen “grief, ravaged and despair.”

Susan Batalia, Maeve’s sister who lives in Michigan, says she is “hopeless” to help governments and humanitarian groups release the pair.

“Maeve’s life is in serious danger. The Taliban accuses Maeve of being human trafficking, trans, gay and apostasy,” she added. “I’m worried that if people don’t help right away, she’ll be executed.”