News Center- Women and LGBTI+ Commission of the Journalists Union of Turkey has issued a written statement about women and LGBTI+ journalists in Afghanistan. “We are following with great concern and anger the events in Afghanistan, which has been pillaged by invaders, warlords and the fundamentalist Taliban for decades and has been among the worst countries in global gender equality indexes for 20 years. Women, who say that they have no security of life under the new regime, are trying to make their voices heard in the world, after the Taliban, known for their brutal and inhumane practices against women, took over the government again,” the commission says in the statement, calling on Turkey to grant unconditional asylum to women and LGBTI+ journalists, whose lives are threatened by the Taliban.

“Women journalists are subjected to harassment and threats”

The statement emphasizes that women journalists are under a great threat like all women in Afghanistan, “we are informed that they were sent to their homes by the press organizations they worked for because 'the regime has changed,' that they cannot do their jobs due to lack of life security, and that they are subjected to harassment and threats on the streets. As the Women and LGBTI+ Commission of the Journalists' Union of Turkey, we express our solidarity with our colleagues from Afghanistan and all Afghan women who are resisting for their lives under all circumstances.

“We demand unconditional asylum for all women and LGBTI+ journalists”

In the statement, the commission addresses President Erdoğan, who openly declared his attempts to recognize the Taliban, “We don't accept negotiations and agreements with the Taliban, who makes life unbearable for women and threatens their lives, and the justification and recognition of the Taliban regime. We demand unconditional asylum for all women and LGBTI+ journalists whose lives are threatened by the Taliban and safe passage and protection for journalists and their families who want to leave Afghanistan.”