In every region of the world, LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders are increasingly under attack — not just for what they do, but for who they are. From discriminatory laws to hate-fueled violence, these activists face heightened, targeted repression simply for defending the right to exist. Newly passed laws criminalize LGBTQIA+ identities and empower security forces to harass, imprison, and brutalize LGBTQIA+ people and their advocates.
In such environments, defending LGBTQIA+ rights becomes an act of defiance, it is risky, often criminalized, and frequently invisible. ProtectDefenders.eu has prioritized support to those on the frontlines of this repression and over the past year, more than 10,500 HRDs in 113 countries received emergency support. Of this, over 90% went to defenders at the highest risk, including LGBTQIA+ activists — a reflection of our intersectional, gender-sensitive approach to protection.
Protection in Exile: The Case of Malkia Saïd Ally
One such activist is Ms. Malkia Saïd Ally, a courageous LGBTQIA+ woman human rights defender from Tanzania. A well-known figure in the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights, Malkia was forced into hiding and ultimately into exile due to escalating threats and state-sponsored persecution. In Tanzania, hostility towards LGBTQIA+ persons has intensified, driven by populist rhetoric and violent repression — including surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and calls for extreme punishment such as the death penalty.
With support from ProtectDefenders.eu, FIDH provided Ms. Malkia with three emergency grants covering her temporary relocation, psychosocial support, digital security, and emergency advocacy. This holistic approach ensured her well-being and enabled her continued activism from exile.
Now based in France, Ms. Malkia remains a vibrant voice in the human rights movement, and online, she continues to amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ activists in Tanzania and beyond.
In a challenging socio-political climate marked by repression, disaster, and deepening inequalities, LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders (HRDs) in Türkiye have remained on the frontlines of advocacy — often at great personal risk. The post-earthquake crisis in 2023 further deepened structural inequalities, disproportionately affecting the LGBTQIA+ community and sex workers — already marginalized and stigmatized.Thanks to a grant provided by Protection International under the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism, a local partner organization implemented a comprehensive project to strengthen the resilience and mental health of LGBTQIA+ defenders and their organizations.
This initiative was designed to address the critical challenges LGBTQIA+ HRDs face in hostile environments, especially following the devastating 2023 earthquake that exacerbated existing socio-economic vulnerabilities. The project placed well-being and mental health at its core, emphasizing how self-care and community support are fundamental to do an effective activism.
A range of support activities was provided, including individual psychotherapy sessions tailored to LGBTQIA+ activists. These sessions addressed the significant mental health needs of defenders coping with trauma, burnout, and systemic marginalization. In parallel, the initiative delivered five capacity-building trainings and five group supervision sessions through a Well-being Support Network. Beyond individual care, the project also focused on strengthening the collective infrastructure of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement in Türkiye, defenders were encouraged to connect, share, and empower one another. These gatherings fostered a sense of solidarity, reinforcing the community and encouraging the HRDs to share stories and experiences in a safe environment.
This project not only provided immediate psychosocial relief but also empowered LGBTQIA+ defenders with practical tools and knowledge to navigate their environments more safely and effectively. Another key aspect of the project has been the bridge between mental health support and movement-building, the initiative offered a model for inclusive, trauma-informed human rights defense that centers on the needs of marginalized activists.
The impact is indeed incredible: HRDs were able to continue their advocacy work, in a period of heightened crisis, better equipped emotionally and organizationally. In a country where hate speech and discrimination are on the rise, this work represent stands as a powerful demonstration to the importance of resilience-building, collective care, and commitment of LGBTQIA+ defenders to equality and human rights.
In a world where LGBTQIA+ rights are increasingly under siege, these defenders remind us that protection must be inclusive, nuanced, and rooted in lived realities.
Their struggle is not isolated, it is global, and it is part of our mission to protect and support them and to allow their advocacy to go on while insuring their safety.
Read more in our 2024 Annual Report
