LGBT in Afghanistan: 'I could be killed on the spot'

Before the Taliban uprising in Afghanistan, life for gay man Abdul (his name has been changed) was already dangerous.

If he'd spoken about his sexuality to the wrong person then, Abdul could have been arrested and taken to court for his sexuality, under Afghan laws.

But since the Taliban seized control of major cities in Afghanistan last week, Abdul tells Radio 1 Newsbeat his sexuality being revealed would now have him "killed on the spot".

The Taliban are a military group who have taken control of the country, and are known to enforce extreme Islamic ideals.

Under the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia Law, homosexuality is strictly prohibited and punishable by death.

The last time they were in power in Afghanistan, between the late 90s and 2001, 21-year-old Abdul hadn't been born.

"I've heard my parents and elders talk about the Taliban," he says.

"We watched some movies. But now, it's like being inside a movie."

This week, Abdul was supposed to be sitting his final university exams, going for lunch with friends, and visiting his boyfriend, who he met at a swimming pool three years ago.

Instead, he is sat in his home for the fourth day in a row. There are Taliban soldiers currently outside his front door.

"Even when I see the Taliban from the windows I feel really scared. My body starts shaking from seeing them," he says.

"Civilians are being killed. I don't think I will ever speak in front of them."

It's not just the country's new leaders who cannot find out about Abdul's sexuality.

He says: "As a gay person in Afghanistan, you cannot reveal yourself, even to your family or your friends.

"If I reveal myself to my family, maybe they will beat me, maybe they will kill me."

Although he was hiding his sexuality, Abdul had been enjoying his life in the country's vibrant city centre.

"My studies were going perfectly. There was life in the city, there were crowds in the city."

In the space of a week, Abdul feels he has watched his life disappear from in front of him.

"There is no future for us," he says.

"I don't think I will ever continue my education. My friends, I have lost contact with them. I don't know if they're okay.

"My partner, he is stuck in a different city with his family. I cannot go there, he cannot come here."

His father, who worked for the government, has gone into hiding for fear of the Taliban.

Most of the women Abdul knows won't leave the house in fear of their lives. Some are taking the risk, but only when accompanied outside by a man.

Over the past week, Abdul's mind has gone to the darkest of places.

"I'm under severe depression.

"I have thoughts to just finish this thing. I don't want to live this kind of life.

"I want a future that I can live freely, and not be pointed out by people saying you can't be gay here."

Abdul isn't hopeful about the Taliban's promises to rule differently and give women more opportunities.

"Even if the Taliban accepts a woman in the government, in school, they will never accept gay or LGBT people. They will kill all of them on the spot."

Speaking of the footage of Afghans clinging on to planes leaving the country, Abdul says: "They are not crazy."

"They have businesses here. They have jobs here. They had a good life here.

"But they're not crazy that they are grabbing the plane from the tires, they are just dying. They know they are not safe."

Abdul says he is "waiting to find a way to get out of the country". There are some charities and campaigners trying to help Afghans like Abdul to safety.

Abdul says he has heard that the UK are planning to take 20,000 migrants from his country, but he says nobody knows how to apply or register themselves.

UK charity Stonewall has called on the UK government to start "helping LGBTQ+ Afghan refugees to survive, resettle and thrive."

"I just want to say, if anyone is hearing my message, as a youngster, I have a right to live freely and safely," Abdul says.

"I'm 21 years old. All my life, I spent it in war, in bomb blasting, losing friends, losing relatives.

"Just pray for us. Pray for our lives."

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