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Zhiar Ali

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Zhiar Ali
Ali wearing a white shirt and smiling at the camera
Image showing Zhiar Ali, taken in May 2021.
ژیار عەلی Edit this on Wikidata
Pronunciation/ʒiːɑːɾ/
Born2 September 1999 Edit this on Wikidata (age 25)
Sulaymaniyah Edit this on Wikidata
NationalityIraqi Kurd
Alma materCihan University
OccupationHuman rights activist, singer-songwriter, journalist, animal rights advocate Edit this on Wikidata
Years active2017–present
Organization
  • KVO (2017–2019)
  • Rasan (2019–2021)
  • Yeksani (2021–present)
Known forLGBT activism
Stylealternative music Edit this on Wikidata
Height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)

Zhiar Ali is a Kurdish person from Iraq who is a human rights activist, animal rights activist and journalist based in Sulaymaniyah. He is known for his work for LGBT rights in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Ali was the former media and communications officer at Rasan, he later founded Yeksani, a movement advocating for LGBT rights in the Iraqi Kurdistan. He had also co-founded the first pro-vegan animal rights organization Kurdistan Vegans. He has freelanced for news organizations, focusing on music journalism and political and social issues.

Ali was attacked by the media in a campaign, the campaign was bigger and was against the LGBT community in 2020.[1][2] After these attacks, he was threatened with murder and assault. The attacks started happening more after Ali did a Global Pride speech on June 27, 2020, organized by InterPride.[3]

He criticized Asayish and the Kurdistan Regional Government for an operation which detained LGBT people in Sulaymaniyah. The campaign took place after Asaiysh (local security forces) thought all gay people are sex workers, Ali tried talk about this mistake in a Middle East Eye interview. Denying that all members of the LGBT community in the Kurdistan region were sex workers, he blamed the government for forcing some into sex work and said that "prostitution is the last choice to earn a living".

Personal life

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Ali is the youngest of five brothers and sisters. He said in a makanati.net interview that he came out to his mother and older sister in 2017 when he founded Lava Foundation, an unregistered organization working on raising awareness of LGBT issues.[4]

Like the vast majority of society, my family approached [sexuality] close-mindedly without having any information, they would insult [those who were gay]. When I would spend time with them, sometimes, they would engage in aggressive conversations and hurl insults towards LGBT people. [...] I would leave the room silently because I felt like those insults were directed at me. [...] I tried repeatedly to change and undergo a "curative treatment" to no avail. I got to the conclusion that this is me, accepted myself, and moved on. – Ali, on his experiences with his family and sexuality.[4]

In an interview with Queer Film Festival Utrecht, Ali talked about his relationship with his family, reporting that he was disowned and kicked out of the family house when he came out publicly, and receieved death threats from his brother.[5]

Ali has a plant-based lifestyle and co-founded Kurdistan Vegans in 2018, one of Iraq's first vegan organizations which focused on environmentalism as well as raising awareness about "a healthy lifestyle" at the same time as raising awareness about a vegan lifestyle.[6] A vegan for five years, he had discussed the difficulties of the lifestyle in Iraq; vegan products are scarce, difficult to find, and often overpriced.[7] During an interview, he claimed that before their work at Kurdistan Vegans, there were no dedicated vegan restaurants, but after their advocasy, one was announced in his region.[6]

Career

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Activism

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A smiling Ali, holding a frame
Ali on World Vegan Day, November 1, 2019

Ali began his activism in 2017 with Lava Foundation which did not last for a long time, and was hired by Rasan in late 2019; Lava Foundation activities were then carried out in Rasan.[4] After more than a year with Rasan, Ali left the organization and founded Yeksani.[8][9] Ali's activism focuses on raising awareness of regional LGBT community issues, letting the public know about the community's needs and wants and international actors to encourage action, and normalizing the community in Kurdish society.[10] He emphasizes that LGBT+ living conditions in Kurdistan are poor due to a lack of public awareness.[11]

Gay people should be protected by law and not discriminated against, [homosexuality] is a natural human desire, not an illness. Every workplace should be legally forced to be inclusive to LGBT people in job oppertunities, and even the local security forces need to treat them better. – Ali to Kurdish news outlet Peregraf in an interview.[12]

Ali mostly uses social media for his activism.[10] He regularly raises awareness about the legal laws used to put LGBT people in jail, and said in a BBC Persian interview that Articles 393, 394, 400, and 401 of Iraqi law are used to illegally detain LGBT people.[13][14][15] Ali was also an animal rights activist and a former project manager of Kurdistan Vegans, where he arranged and coordinated World Vegan Day events for two years in a row.[16][17]

He was a journalist with Spee Media, a local independent news outlet. He was focusing there on music journalism, and most of his work featured Wild Fire. He also wrote about conflict in the Middle East, LGBT+ rights in Iraq, and social and civic issues.[18][19]

On May 17, 2020, the European Union (EU), British, and Canadian embassies raised the pride flag in their Baghdad headquarters, which caused a massive backlash,[20][21][22][23][24] forcing the EU embassy to take down the flag after a few hours.[10] This caused a hate campaign against the LGBT community of Iraq which was supported by visible Iraqi politicians. Ali wrote an extensive report about the progression and worsening situation of LGBT people in Iraq which was hosted on Rasan's website, reporting murder of people precieved to be gay, as well as messages of hate broadcast on national TV.[25] The report was later used for assessments and further studies regarding LGBT rights in the region.[26]

During an interview, Ali discussed the difficulties with being part of the LGBT+ community and finding housing, reporting that many LGBT youth are denied rent or properties are not sold to them, so they are forced to get married to the opposite gender only to have a place to live in.[5] He also talked about how the Directorate of Non-Governmental Organizations have made it impossible to register LGBT organizations in the region.[27]

Asayish operation

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On April 1, 2021,[28] news said that Asayish set checkpoints around Sulaymaniyah and detained some people they thought were gay.[29] Although a lot of people expressed anger on social media at the operation, seventeen members of Sulaimaniyah's Provincial Council signed a petition supporting the arrests.[30] Ali led Take Action, an online campaign through Yeksani which received broad global support, and helped bring the issue to the attention of Amnesty International, the US Consulate in Erbil,[31][32][33] Human Rights Watch,[34] ILGA Asia,[35] and other international, national, and local groups. The decision to conduct the operation was influenced by conservative groups in the region, especially the Kurdistan Justice Group.[30][34]

According to Ali, 15 individuals (some underage) were apprehended by the operation and security checkpoints were set up in places thought to be popular with LGBT people.[28][36] He said that Asaiysh did not differentiate between LGBT sex workers and other community members or later focused their operation on prostitution to avoid international backlash.[30][37] Ali highlighted security forces' "tests" on suspects to determine if they had sexual contact before their arrests, calling the tests criminal and humiliating.[38] He told Middle East Eye that "even if people resorted to sex working, it's the government's fault since it's their last choice of livelihood."[28][39]

Ali repeatedly told the media that community lives were in danger, and he was afraid to be caught at one of the checkpoints since he is openly gay.[29][40][41][42][43][44] After local and international pressure from civil-rights organizations and activists, Asayish stopped the operation, released the detainees, and published a statement that they were investigating reports of prostitution in the region and did not "target any specific groups of society."[8][29][31][41][42][43][45]

Due to discrimination, followed by the operation, Ali reported that many LGBT people (including himself) felt excluded from Kurdish society.[32][33][46] Many others also called the operation dehumanizing and criminal.[47] Ali critisized other NGOs that claim to work on LGBT rights, and said "while they are getting massive funds, they take no action in reality", and recognized them as symbolic entities.[15]

Rasan lawsuit

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On February 22, 2021, it was announced that a lawsuit had been filed against Rasan by an Islamist Kurdistan Justice Group MP because the organization advocated for local LGBT+ rights and this was "against the values of the Kurdish culture."[48][49] In response to the accusation, Rasan said they would defend themselves against the lawsuit in court and they work for everyone equally. Ali spoke against the MP during a live Rudaw interview, defending the LGBT+ community and saying that the MP's comments were "baseless and not based on any scientific evidence."[45]

References

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  1. ↑ "هاوڕەگەزخوازیی لە كوردستان". YouTube. Zhyan Media. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  2. ↑ "هاوڕەگەزخوازەکان خۆیان ئاشکرا دەکەن". YouTube. Raz Net. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Introducing Iraqi LGBT+ community to the world on Global Pride". Rasan Organization. June 24, 2020. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ahmed Zardasht, Paryan. "المثلية .. وخطاب الكراهية الموجه ضدهم". www.makanati.net. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 van Rooijen, Arjan (September 6, 2021). ""It's my purpose in life to raise my voice"". Queer Film Festival Utrecht (in Dutch). Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Positive Changes in Countries Part 29 of a Multi-part Series – Devoted Governments, Devoted Citizens: Iran, Iraq, Ireland - English". suprememastertv.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  7. ↑ "World Vegan Month: Being plant-based in Iraq". The Vegan Review. November 16, 2020. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sirwan, Dilan. "Queer in Kurdistan: LGBT+ community weighed down by societal pressure". www.rudaw.net. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Queerer Aktivismus für Südkurdistan - Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung". sh.rosalux.de (in German). Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Al-Rubaie, Azhar. "Incognito mode: Iraq's LGBTQ+ community celebrates Pride Month virtually in fear of becoming a 'target'". The New Arab. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  11. ↑ Rahman, Dlnia. "Living in secret: The LGBT+ community in Kurdistan". www.rudaw.net. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  12. ↑ "هاوڕەگەزخوازیی لە كوردستان؛ حەزێكی سروشتیی بێ پشت و پەنا". پەرەگراف (in Kurdish). Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  13. ↑ "مشکلات اقلیت‌های جنسی و جنسیتی در اقلیم کردستان عراق". BBC Persian (in Persian). May 17, 2021. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  14. ↑ "لە هەولێر دوو کچی هاوڕەگەزخواز بەیەکەوە هاوسەرگیریان کردووە". Mewda Media. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mame, Shaswar. "ROJEV | Helmetî destgîrkirdinî kesanî LGBTQ+ le Silêmanî". YouTube. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  16. ↑ "چالاکییەک بۆ ڕۆژی جیھانیی ڕوەکخواردن ئەنجامدرا". ROJ News (in Kurdish). Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  17. ↑ "دووەم بۆنەی ڕۆژی جیهانیی ڤیگن لە کوردستان بەڕێووە دەچێت". speemedia.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Zhiar Ali". Medium. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  19. ↑ Ali, Zhiar. "لەبەر ئەم هۆکارە هەرگیز ناتوانین لەبەر جینۆسایدکردنی ئەرمەنییەکان لە تورکیا ببوورین". speemedia.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Iraq Condemns EU Mission for Displaying LGBT Flag". Asharq AL-awsat. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Iraqi leaders condemn western diplomats for hoisting LGBT+ pride flags". Rudaw Media Network. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  22. ↑ "EU mission's raising of rainbow flag sparks outcry in Iraq". Qantara.de - Dialogue with the Islamic World. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Gay flag raised in the capital Baghdad". Gay flag raised in the capital Baghdad. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Iraqi leaders Sadr and Amiri bash gay pride flag raising ceremony". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Conditions of LGBT people of Iraq since may 17, 2020". Rasan. June 7, 2020. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Baseline Assessment: A Scan of Documentation of Threats and Violence Against At-Risk and Marginalized Groups in Iraq" (PDF). December 2020: 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  27. ↑ Qasim, Mohammed. ""أن تظهر ميولك المثلية في العراق يعني أنك وقعّتَ على موتِك"". Vice (in Arabic). Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 "Verhaftete LGBTIQ im Nordirak offenbar wieder frei". Mannschaft (in German). April 8, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 "Irakisch-Kurdistan: Sicherheitskräfte gehen gegen Homosexuelle vor". Mena-Watch (in German). Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Jangiz, Khazan. "Kurdish parliamentarian slams Sulaimani LGBT+ arrests as possible 'crime'". Rudaw Media Network. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Arrests highlight lack of protections for LGBTQ+ community in Kurdistan Region". پەرەگراف. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Majid, Rebaz; Abdulla, Namo. "LGBTQ Members Face Threats in Iraqi Kurdistan | Voice of America – English". Voice of America. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Majeed, Rebaz. "Irak Kürt Bölgesi Yönetiminde LGBTQ Bireyler Tehdit Altında". Voice of America (in Turkish). Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Editorial Staff (April 2, 2021). "Kurdish police arrest LGBT+ individuals in Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan". Kurd Net – Ekurd.net Daily News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  35. ↑ "ILGA Asia Statement for the Iraqi Kurdistan Region: Widespread Violence Against LGBTIQ+ Citizens By The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Must Be Condemned". ILGA Asia. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  36. ↑ Palestina, Invicta (April 11, 2021). "Iraq: gli arresti tra la comunità LGBTQ + nella città curda scatenano un acceso dibattito". Invictapalestina (in Italian). Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  37. ↑ Bazzaz, Zheera (April 6, 2021). "Reign of Terror Against LGBT+ Members in Slemani". The AUIS Voice. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  38. ↑ "ژیار عەلی، چالاکڤانی مافی مرۆڤ: پشکنینی جەستەیی بۆ هاوڕەگەزخوازەکان دەکرێت". Rudaw Media Network. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Iraq: Arrests among LGBTQ+ community in Kurdish city sparks fierce debate". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Au Kurdistan irakien, les assos sonnent l'alarme après des arrestations de personnes LGBTQI+". TÊTU (in French). April 6, 2021. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Hbtq-personer i Sulaymaniyya utsatta för häxjakt av beväpnade styrkor". Esta (in Swedish). Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "روونکردنەوەی ئاسایش لەبارەی ھاوڕەگەزخوازەکانی سلێمانی". Balkesh. April 2, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Netz, Aus dem (April 4, 2021). "Repressionen gegen LGBT-Community in Irakisch-Kurdistan". jungle.world (in German). Archived from the original on April 4, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  44. ↑ Sirwan, Dilan. "Sulaimani's LGBT+ community 'terrified' after security forces launch crackdown". Rudaw Media Network. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "ئاسایشی سلێمانی: ئەوانەی دەستگیرکراون لەشفرۆش بوون". Rudaw Media Network. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  46. ↑ ""أخاف الموت كلما أخرج من المنزل".. مجتمع الميم في العراق يواجه تهديدات مستمرة | الحرة". www.alhurra.com (in Arabic). Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Sulaimani's LGBT+ community 'terrified' after security forces launch crackdown". Shkoi Kurdistan. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  48. ↑ "LGBT+ activists slam 'immoral' lawsuit against Sulaimani organization". www.rudaw.net. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Kurdistan Parliament MP files lawsuit against group advocating for women's, LGBTIQ rights". www.nrttv.com. Nalia Corporation. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
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