Two openly LGBTQ+ people are among 101 detainees interned in Turkey for attempting to flee persecution for religious beliefs and sexual orientation.

According to a report by UN experts, a group of 104 members of the religious minority, The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, presented themselves at the Turkish side of the Kapikule border seeking access to asylum in Bulgaria on May 24, 2023.

The report asserts many of the detainees claimed to have been “tortured or subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by police officers, including beatings, sexual harassment and intentional deprivation of sleep.”

Among the group were 27 women and 22 children, as well as elderly men who had already been forced to escape up to eight different Muslim-majority countries on grounds of religious persecution for their beliefs.

The UN statement continued, “Under international law, the Government of Türkiye is called to act in line with its obligation not to deport 101 members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, who may be at risk of serious human rights violations if they are returned to their countries of origin”. 

Speaking to GCN, English journalist Alexandra Foreman, who was among the detainees but has since been released, explained, “The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light welcomes members of the LGBTQ community and due to this has many LGBTQ members”.

She continued, “The acceptance of LGBTQ members into their faith was used as grounds for the Turkish border guards to beat and sexually assault the men while I was in detention with them. The perpetrators of these attacks were the same guards who were illegally beating and pushing them back at the border.”

Foreman believes that two members of the group, who are openly LGBTQ+, are still in detention.

Describing the experience of Hisham Omar she said, “One of our gay members in Egypt is actually behind bars rights now… He was criminalized for his sexuality and was falsely accused of engaging in prostitution. 

“While behind bars he was beaten for 3 days and deprived of food. He has been insulted, humiliated and lost all of his belongings.”

Referencing a personal statement by Soumia Foufa, an LGBTQ+ woman, who is also currently in detention, Foreman says, “She recounts facing threats in her country of origin stemming from her beliefs in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light which accepted her sexual orientation.”

Since her incarceration, Foreman says Foufa has found that the threats escalated. She says, “…they were taken to a deportation centre where Soumia’s situation worsened. She endures constant intimidation and persecution due to her refusal to renounce her religion, as well as her sexual orientation, causing her great distress and suffering.”

Foreman asserts, “The Turkish authorities have issued deportation orders against Soumia and the rest of the group, which can mean certain death for LGBTQ individuals in Algeria. 

“She urgently appeals for help to be released and granted asylum in safer lands where she can freely practice her faith without fear of persecution based on her faith or her sexual orientation.”

According to Amnesty International, The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light was established in 1993. Since its inception, the UN report claims, “its members have been labelled as heretics and infidels and are often subjected to threats, violence, and illegal detention.” 

It also says, “They are particularly at risk of detention due to blasphemy laws, in violation of their right to freedom of religion or belief.”

The group currently have two active Change.org petitions. One is specifically campaigning for the release of Hisham Omar, while the other is seeking that the EU grant asylum to members of The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light who face persecution for their religious beliefs.