Hello, my name is Saja, I am a queer refugee from Iraq currently living illegalized in Turkey. I came here 7 years ago, fleeing from Iraq from serious threats because of my sexual orientation. In all those years, Turkish authorities haven't granted me any official protection status even though I tried a lot to get it. Last year, I was arrested and spent 2 months in prison under horrible conditions while facing permanent threat of deportation. I am still living in constant fear to having to return to prison and live through the same homophobic horrors again, that's why I am asking for solidarity to figure out my legal situation.

In the last weeks of my time in prison, they moved me to another city near the Iraqi border where they released me earlier than planned because the prison management was worried about my safety there as a queer person. They gave me a year of mandatory check-ins, requiring me to sign in person every month to prove I am still in the country, and transferred me back to Istanbul. Now, I only have 2 months left until this period ends, and I do not have much information about what will happen after. I am unable to work, and my papers state that I do not have any rights in this country. It is not clear whether I have the right to leave even. I am super scared to be sent back to the deportation center after October and would urgently need a lawyer to understand my situation and possibly apply for another residence permit. I don't have a job, leave alone a work permit and no savings so it is impossible for me to pay for this.

Aside from finding legal assistance, I also need to raise money in case the protection process fails and I am forced to leave the country. Any amount would help, thank you so much in advance!

With love & rage,

Saja