Dear friends,
My name is Dom*. I'm a gay man from Iraq, living in Germany. I'm terrified for my life and I need your help.
I fled my home in Iraq after my name appeared on a "kill list" made by militia to out gay men. Armed extremists were hunting me down. It was horrifying.
Luckily, I made it to Europe. But I just found out that I may have to return to the horror I was facing in Iraq because authorities say Iraq is "safe" for me and other LGBT people.
My case is pending as you read this email and I could be sent back into danger any day now. But if enough people like you speak out, we can get German authorities to halt my deportation and to take on my case.
I'm not the only one at risk. Three other Iraqi men had their asylum requests rejected. Because there is not a law officially criminalising homosexuality, Germany does not believe there is any persecution against LGBT people in Iraq.
The horrors we face in Iraq are constant. Two of my best friends were stoned to death just for being gay. This year alone, at least seven people have been murdered just for being or "looking" gay.
We know it's possible to change the minds of German authorities. After protests erupted earlier this year, the deportation of a gay Tunisian man who had been tortured and sexually abused by police in his country was stopped.
Thanks for going All Out,
Dom
*I’m not using my real name, for my own safety.
