Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights signs joint statement on queering atrocity prevention
Erbil (June 08, 2022) – Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights has joined over 40 human rights organizations and advocates calling on the humanitarian sector to challenge structures and processes that perpetuate identity-based violence against LGBTQI+ persons. Outlining 10 practical commitments the signees advocate for atrocity prevention funding becoming far more LGBTQI+ inclusive, examining blind spots, and encouraging sector-wide conversation on how to ensure tools and practices are fit for the purpose of contributing to the protection of LGBTQI+ people from atrocity crimes.
Statement from Jiyan Foundation Psychotherapist Shene Mohammed:
“Most LGBTQ+ people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq we see are afraid to show themselves because of the violence they face; they struggle with depression and substance abuse, anxiety, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and guilt because their families and society do not accept them. They don’t feel that they are loved by society.”
As stated in a previous press release, last December Jiyan Foundation began implementing LGBTQI+ sensitivity and awareness-raising training seminars for staff, starting in Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq. Ensuring this type of awareness-raising education about LGBTQI+ communities living in the region is a priority for Jiyan Foundation, we aim to continue internal seminars and training for our entire staff across all facilities. Another training course is scheduled to take place on June 16th as we make good on our promise and encourage conversation among our staff.
Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights hopes to demonstrate our sincerity in support of the LGBTQI+ community by enhancing our promised commitment highlighted earlier this year and again emphasized in signing this joint statement started by Protection Approaches.
About Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights
Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights is a nonprofit organization that supports survivors of human rights violations, defends fundamental freedoms, and promotes democratic values throughout the world. Jiyan Foundation seeks to build democratic societies that protects the dignity of the human being, where adults and children enjoy the rights to life and freedom, and citizens are free from violence, torture, and terror,
Our programs, projects, and initiatives provide mental health, medical treatment and other health services to survivors of trauma, terror, domestic violence, and human rights violations. Our work supports nine treatment centers, a clinic for Yazidi women and families, a Healing Garden and mobile teams helping survivors in 11 refugee and IDP camps in nine regions throughout Kurdistan-Iraq, Iraq, and Syria. Since 2005 these programs have provided support to over 100,000 people.
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