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IRQR Refugee Sponsorship Plan (RSP) You can subscribe for this plan with Paypal
The IRanian Queer Railroad (IRQR) is an international, non-profit, queer human rights organization based in Canada with key workers in Europe and Iran. It is currently the only active Iranian NGO in the world that works on behalf of the Iranian queer population (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) around the globe. It documents human rights violations that occur in Iran on the basis of sexual orientation, provides crisis support, counseling and resources for Iranian queers both in Iran and aboard; and sends affidavits and letters of supports to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and European governments on behalf of Iranian queer asylum seekers.
IRQR is a financially independent organization that receives no governmental support and is staffed and operated by volunteers. It relies solely on donations from individuals and human rights organizations in order to offer its services and programs.
What is RSP? RSP is an IRQR initiative that aims to provide aid and care for the most vulnerable and at risk Iranian queer asylum seekers, who have fled Iran to save themselves from torture, arrest, prosecution and death. It aims to create a community of friends and supporters who would be willing to sponsor Iranian queer asylum seekers during part or all of their stay in transit countries before they are assigned to and settled in safe countries.
Why do Iranian queers flee their country? Iranian queer asylum seekers are often forced to flee Iran in order to save themselves from torture if not outright death. The Islamic Penal Code states that “Sodomy” or lavat—consummated sexual activity between males, whether penetrative or not—is punishable by execution, regardless of whether the partner is passive or active. Non-penetrative sexual activity can bring up to 100 lashes. For more information about the situation of queers in Iran, visit www.irqr.net
What are the conditions of Iranian queer asylum seekers? Most of Iranian queer asylum seekers have no source of income, no parental support, no work rights and no access to health resources and medication. They often live in crowded houses in traditional satellite cities in countries such as Turkey, Malaysia and European countries. Their houses often have no heat and sanitary facilities. Many of them are young educated individuals who have fled Iran due to a well-founded fear of threatened or ongoing violence or persecution on grounds of sexual orientation. They are often traumatized, tired, and destitute and in need of support, be it food, medical care, counseling or accessing the right legal advice. ------------------------------ “I don’t have work permit. I have tried to work illegally in restaurants and other places, but I am not often given a job! In the rare case that I find a temporary job, I have to risk facing verbal, emotional and even sexual abuse.”
“Our power was cut off because we were not able to pay the bills. One of the tenants in the building told us that we could cook in his place if we were willing to offer him our “services”. This is the image they have got of gays!”
“All I usually eat is vegetables because it is cheap and filling. One of my toe nails fell off a while ago because of serious calcium deficiency.”
“We try to sleep as much as possible during the day so that we don’t feel our time so much. Sometimes we are awake only for 5 or 6 hours and then try to fall back sleep.”
“Our rooms do not usually have a heating system. It is expensive to buy coals. We do not have warm running water. Turkish winters are very cold. We just try to warm ourselves with blankets.”
“Most of my friends here have college education if not university education. But we are young so we do not have huge financial savings. Most of our parents have stopped supporting us because they have found out we are queer. We fled the country because the moral police were after us. So there was no time for financial planning.”
“I have diabetes but cannot pay for my medication and the UNHCR does not help me.”
“My roommates and I got very sick last winter. We all had very high fevers. Our friend who used to be a medical student gave us some expired medicine and injections with used syringes.”
How can you help Iranian queer asylum seekers? With $50 a month, you can sponsor an Iranian queer asylum seeker and ensure his/her access to basic food and accommodation.
SPONSOR NOW you can use our secure online donation system (PayPal) to send your donation. Just send an email to rsp@irqr.net or call us at 001-416-548-4171 and we will give you more information that how you can become one of RSP members.
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