The All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group (PHRG) welcomed Amir Ashour, leader and founder of IraQueer, Iraq’s only organisation for the LGBT community in Iraq.

The main points raised during the meeting:

• Amir has been in prison twice in KRG, and attacked by people in his social circle. He was forced to leave the country in October 2014.
• LGBT activists face threats from both officials and society. Police raid the homes of LGBT people. LGBT people are also kicked out and beaten by their families, as well as forcibly displaced and even killed. There is also a general culture of fear that prevents people expressing their sexuality.
• Amir said that the Iraqi Government are actively attempting to criminalise homosexuality and that more generally, human rights appeared to be a low priority in Iraq and KRG.
• The IraQueer group requested support from the UK Government, as well as assistance with protection, to enable them to carry out their activities in Iraq.

The PHRG will continue to support human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iraq, including for LGBT people.