Gay men in Afghanistan say they are living in fear at the potential persecution at the hands of the Taliban following their political takeover of the country.
Speaking in an interview with Insider, a 37-year-old gay man who identified himself only as "Rameen" claimed that he now lives in constant fear for himself and his partner of three years, and thinks they could be executed for homosexuality, which is illegal in the country.
Rameen testified that the underground gay scene in his home city of Kabul is now living in a state of terror and paranoia as a result of the radical Islamist sect's recent incursion.
Per the above publication, he stated: "If the Taliban finds out about us. I think we will have to stop our relationship."
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old student who identified himself as "Ghulam" also told Insider that he is afraid for his own life as a result of his sexuality, stating that he has not left the confines of his home since the Tablian took over.
Ghulam continued: "We cannot go out because we are just scared for our lives [...] If I had permission to get a visa to go to another country, I would not stay here for another second."
Another gay man from northern Afghanistan's Balkh province, who called himself "Sayed", also told the publication: "It's clear to me that as soon as the Taliban know that I am a gay man, they will kill me without even thinking about it."
LGBTQ+ activist Nemat Sadat compared the treatment of gay Afghans to the genocide enacted on minorities by the Nazi party, stating: "It's not hyperbolic to say that gay people will get weeded out and exterminated by the Taliban, just like the Nazis did.
"People are messaging me saying here's my passport, here's all my information, please get me out of this country, I'm going to die."
This comes after United States President Joe Biden has once again defended his decision to withdraw American troops from the country.
In a White House press conference held on Sunday, (August 22), Biden stated: "I'm convinced I'm absolutely correct in not deciding to send more young women and men to war, for a war that, in fact, is no longer warranted."
