As European NGOs working on asylum and migration and Afghan Diaspora organisations in Europe, we are alarmed about the situation in Afghanistan and concerned above all about the security of the people of Afghanistan, both those within the country and those displaced and seeking protection in the region and beyond. In this context, it is crucial that the small proportion of displaced people who do arrive in Europe are given rapid access to a fair asylum procedure in line with European states’ obligations under EU and international law.

The vast majority of displaced Afghans will likely be hosted in neighbouring countries. Since 2015, 570,000 Afghans have sought protection in the EU and associated countries. The majority received protection status. In contrast, by July 2021, Iran had hosted 800,000 registered refugees and up to 3 million other displaced Afghans. In Pakistan, there were 1.4 million registered refugees and up to 2 million other displaced Afghans. These figures have been increasing by the day. In addition, there are close to 5.5 million internally displaced people in the country. In a blog post, we listed five responses the EU and its member states must engage in to protect Afghans at risk. (Photo credit: Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona)

OII Germany has translated the Intersex Legal Toolkit into German, which was released in May 2019 by OII Europe and ILGA-Europe. The toolkit describes the areas of life in which intersex people are most vulnerable to violations on the basis of their sex characteristics, and provides detailed guidance on what to do to minimise or eliminate these violations, and is accompanied by a detailed appendix and a checklist for policymakers.

Authorities in Uzbekistan have subjected at least six men to forced anal examinations between 2017 and 2021 in order to prosecute them for consensual same-sex relations. Forced anal examinations are a form of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment that can amount to torture. ILGA-Europe together with eight human rights organisations urge President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to issue an immediate ban on these exams.

Together with EL*C, TGEU, OII Europe and EGLSF, ILGA-Europe launched our brand-new report on LBTI women in sport which reveals the specific situations and barriers that LBTI women face in sport, while discrimination and violence against them remain phenomena largely unknown or not visible. We urge decision makers, stakeholders and sports leaders at every level to take into account the needs of LBTI women in sport and ensure the full respect of their fundamental rights.

ILGA-Europe warmly welcomes the new Human Rights Comment from Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights on LGBTI human rights defenders. The Commissioner highlights that LGBTI issues are regularly used as a political wedge, undermining human rights of all. She notes that "scapegoating LGBTI minorities has become a tactic applied by ultra-conservative and nationalist politicians posing as defenders of so-called “traditional values” to strengthen their base and gain or stay in power". (Photo credit: Council of Europe)

Between 12 and 22 August, tens of thousands of people joined more than 1,100 events in Copenhagen and Malmö as part of Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride and EuroGames. 3,000 people joined the WorldPride Opening Parade in Malmö and on Saturday more than 10,000 people joined six WorldPride Marches in Copenhagen. More than 50,000 people have joined events in WorldPride Square. (Photo credit: World Pride)

On 6 August. the Bucharest Pride events were kicked off marking 20 years after the decriminalization of homosexuality in Romania. The Bucharest Municipality originally refused to authorise the Bucharest Pride March which was scheduled to take place on Saturday 14 August. The ACCEPT Association later announced that the Bucharest Municipality authorised the Pride March to take place, as initially requested by the ACCEPT, on Calea Victoriei on 14 August. (Photo credit: ACCEPT)

This is your chance to lead the world’s largest LGBTQI youth and student network by applying to become IGLYO’s Executive Director. IGLYO particularly welcomes applications from women, trans, non-binary and intersex people, individuals from black communities, other communities of colour and ethnic minorities.
Read more and apply before 3 September.