Sweden’s Migration Agency rejected the asylum application of Bella Demhat — who was repeatedly targeted, subjected to violence, and threatened due to her Kurdish and trans identity during her time in Turkey — citing Turkey as a safe country for LGBTQ+ people. Trapped in a state of uncertainty since mid-March, Bella continues to receive death threats from her family in Turkey, the very country Sweden claims to be safe for a Kurdish trans woman.
Since news of her rejected asylum application broke, Bella’s family members have intensified the threats and insults they have long directed at her. Her brother is among those who have been opening new Instagram accounts to send her threatening direct messages. What they repeat with every new account they create is that they are “eagerly awaiting” Bella’s return to Turkey. The messages, laden with transphobic and sexist slurs, frequently threaten her with death and contain direct or indirect insinuations about what will happen to her once she is sent back.
In ILGA Europe’s recently published Rainbow Map, Turkey was listed as one of the worst European countries for LGBTQ+ people. Ranking third from the bottom — ahead of only Russia and Azerbaijan — Turkey’s position on the list stands in stark contrast to Sweden’s claim that it is “safe for LGBTQ+ people.”
For detailed information about what Bella has been going through, updates on the process, and ways to show solidarity, visit savebella.org.
