Dear Supporters,

I hope this update finds you all well. First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and commitment to this crucial cause. Your compassion and dedication have been an immense source of strength for Muhammad Basem Kazem, the gay refugee from Iraq whose life hangs in the balance.

I must share with you the heartbreaking news that Muhammad recently sent us a video showing the deplorable conditions of his living situation. The video depicts the unimaginable hardships he endures daily, leaving him on the edge of stress and uncertainty about his future. Unfortunately, we are unable to share the video on Change.org, as the platform does not provide an option to share such distressing content, and we understand that it can be emotionally taxing for the audience.

Muhammad's situation remains dire. For the past four months, he has been confined to his home, living in constant fear of Turkish police arresting and deporting Iraqi refugees like himself. The threat of deportation looms large, forcing him to live in isolation, cut off from the outside world. Access to even the most basic necessities, such as food and essential medications, has become an ongoing battle for survival.

In his own home, Muhammad faces relentless bullying from hostile neighbors, further deepening his sense of isolation and distress. To make matters worse, his landlord is threatening eviction, leaving him without a safe refuge to turn to.

The consequences of being apprehended by the authorities are life-threatening. If the Turkish police forcibly deport him back to Iraq, Muhammad faces certain death due to the perilous conditions that LGBTQ+ individuals endure in his home country. The urgency to act and protect Muhammad has never been greater.

Muhammad's plea for safe asylum is an urgent one, as he has endured immense hardships for six long years. It is incumbent upon us, as the international community, to come together and address his dire situation with the compassion and protection he so desperately needs.

As human rights advocates, we must unite to ensure Muhammad's safe passage to a place of refuge where he can find security and peace. We cannot ignore the toll this has taken on his well-being and the immense mental burden placed on his partner in Canada, who bears witness to Muhammad's perilous predicament from afar.

Our collective efforts are crucial in safeguarding Muhammad's life and human rights. By raising awareness and seeking the intervention of relevant authorities, we can make a significant difference and offer him a glimmer of hope in these dark times.

Please continue to show your support by signing and sharing the petition. Every signature represents a powerful voice of solidarity, urging for immediate action to save Muhammad Basem Kazem's life. Together, we can be the lifeline he urgently requires to find a safe and secure place.

Thank you for standing united in compassion and strength.

With heartfelt gratitude.

next steps: 

1- send email to support him and speed up the process of asylum by contact the UNHCR email of turkey: 

Aylin.Alpagut@fao.org

ankara@ilo.org

ankmission@iom.int

 turan@unhcr.org

kenkaprt@unhcr.org

2- example of the email that can be sent to the UNHCR in turkey: 

Subject: Urgent email to Support: Protecting Muhammad Basem Kazem, a Vulnerable LGBTQ+ Refugee

Hello UNHCR Turkey,

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to urgently bring your attention to the plight of Muhammad Basem Kazem, a gay man from Iraq, who sought asylum in Turkey in 2017. Muhammad's situation is desperate, and I implore the UNHCR to take immediate action to protect him from the grave threats he faces.

Muhammad's asylum request has been pending for several years, leaving him trapped in an unimaginably hostile environment in Turkey. The climate for LGBTQ+ individuals in the country is rife with homophobia and racism, making his already dire situation even more challenging. Unable to work and struggling to survive, Muhammad relies on the generosity of friends for basic necessities like food and rent.

Tragically, Muhammad's hardships have taken a severe toll on his mental and physical well-being. He has developed multiple sclerosis (MS), but was only granted one month of health insurance, leaving him without adequate medical care. The ongoing stress and exhaustion have compounded his already dire circumstances, placing his life at risk.

In the past four months, Muhammad has been living in constant fear, unable to step outside his home due to the looming threat of Turkish police arresting and deporting Iraqi refugees back to their perilous homeland. Isolated from the outside world, he struggles to access even the most basic necessities, such as food and essential medications, making his life a daily battle for survival.

Living in fear and isolation, Muhammad faces relentless bullying from hostile neighbors, further exacerbating his distressing situation. His landlord is now threatening eviction, leaving him with nowhere to seek refuge. The consequences of being caught by the authorities are life-threatening, as he faces certain death if forcibly deported back to Iraq, given the dangerous conditions for LGBTQ+ individuals in his home country.

We urgently appeal to the UNHCR to provide immediate support and protection to Muhammad Basem Kazem. His plea for safe asylum is a matter of utmost urgency, as he has endured immense hardships for six long years.

We humbly request that the UNHCR takes all necessary steps to expedite the processing of Muhammad's asylum application and provide him with the protection and safety he deserves. We also urge the UNHCR to ensure that Muhammad receives the appropriate medical care and mental health support he urgently needs.

As an organization committed to upholding human rights and protecting vulnerable individuals, we firmly believe that every person deserves the right to safety and security. We implore the UNHCR to exercise its mandate to safeguard Muhammad's life and well-being.

We stand ready to support any efforts made by the UNHCR to ensure Muhammad's safety and well-being. We request a prompt response to this appeal and hope that swift action will be taken to protect Muhammad from further harm.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We eagerly await your response and actions in ensuring the safety of Muhammad Basem Kazem.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] [Your Contact Information]