I am thrilled to announce my involvement as a team member in a truly groundbreaking initiative: the GLOBAL MUSLIM-JEWISH YOUTH UNITY PROJECT. This project, which officially launched on October 7, 2025, is not just another non-profit; it is a declaration of courage and a testament to the power of people over politics.
The Impossible Has Begun
As someone who has dedicated years to peace-building and preventing violent extremism in Pakistan, I deeply understand the weight of sectarian division and the urgent need for genuine grassroots movements. That’s why the message from the founder, Mansoor Hussain Laghari, resonated with me so profoundly:
“On October 7, 2025, we are launching something the world says cannot be done. No government. No grants. No powerful backers… No resources—only raw determination.”
This project is a bold commitment to building unity from zero. It’s a people-powered movement where young Muslims and Jews stand together to prove that genuine connection can rise above entrenched hate. We are not waiting for permission or funding; we are using our voices and our hearts to build the future we believe in. This is not charity—this is courage.
My Commitment to Muslim-Jewish Unity
My own journey in interfaith dialogue began several years ago. Back in 2020, I was honored to join the Commonwealth Jewish Council’s online youth group, IRCYA (Inter-religious Commonwealth Youth Alliance), serving as a focal point from Pakistan. We organized multiple online seminars and campaigns, connecting young people across the Commonwealth on critical issues of equality and peace. Though that specific group eventually concluded due to funding issues, the experience solidified my belief in the power of youth-led, interfaith collaboration.
It is that foundational experience that makes joining the Global Muslim-Jewish Youth Uunit Project so meaningful. As I said during the launch event introduction:
“Hi everyone. My name is Ali Raza Khan, basically from Pakistan, working on peace building and preventing violent extremism and equality… I am happy to join this group promoting Muslim-Jewish Unity. Thank for including me 🙏”
I am ready to bring my experience in on-the-ground peace education to this global team, working to transform dialogue into durable unity.
The vision for this project is inclusive and powerful. It is open to all faiths and religions because the mission, rising against hate, concerns all of humanity.
Writers, artists, students, dreamers, and builders, if you’ve ever wanted to do something real and see your willpower translate into global change, this is your moment.
The world will one day ask how peace began. Let the answer be: it began with us, when we had nothing but willpower and refused to quit.
Ali Raza Khan, bâtisseur de paix engagé originaire de Multan, au Pakistan, œuvre depuis 2015 pour lutter contre la violence sectaire et la discrimination qui touchent son pays depuis des décennies. Issu de la communauté musulmane chiite, Ali a transformé ses expériences personnelles en une force motrice pour le changement, formant des milliers de jeunes à la construction de la paix et à la prévention de l’extrémisme violent.
Son parcours a commencé par une compréhension profonde de la discrimination subie par sa communauté. Comme de nombreux chiites, il a été confronté à des questions déplacées et haineuses sur ses pratiques religieuses. Ces interrogations, souvent fondées sur des stéréotypes faux et nuisibles, rappellent le préjugé enraciné dans certaines parties de la société.
Ce préjugé, alimenté par des discours extrémistes et haineux, a souvent dégénéré en violences meurtrières. Selon plusieurs organisations de défense des droits humains :
Depuis 2001, plus de 2 600 musulmans chiites ont été tués dans des attaques violentes au Pakistan.
Un rapport du Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) indique qu’entre 2013 et 2018, 815 des 2 099 personnes assassinées pour leur religion étaient chiites.
La violence est à la fois ciblée et généralisée. En 2013, une série d’attentats à Quetta, capitale du Baloutchistan, a tué plus de 250 chiites en quelques mois. En 2022, un attentat-suicide dans une mosquée chiite à Peshawar a fait au moins 61 morts.
Les accusations de blasphème sont utilisées comme outil de discrimination. En 2020, plus de 40 cas de blasphème ont été enregistrés contre des chiites après le mois de Muharram, dont le plus jeune accusé était un enfant de trois ans. Un rapport indique également que 70 % de tous les cas de blasphème en 2020 visaient des musulmans chiites.
Les leaders chiites et les intellectuels sont systématiquement ciblés. Cette violence inclut ce que l’on appelle “l’intellecticide” : une campagne de meurtres visant les médecins, ingénieurs, professeurs et autres professionnels chiites pour les exclure des postes d’autorité.
Malgré ces défis, Ali Raza Khan s’est engagé sans relâche à créer des ponts entre les communautés. Grâce à son travail avec des organisations telles que Chanan Development Association, Peace Direct et d’autres, il a formé des milliers de jeunes aux principes du dialogue et de la paix. Son engagement témoigne du pouvoir qu’un individu peut avoir pour bâtir une société plus tolérante et pacifique, même face à l’adversité.
Si vous souhaitez soutenir des initiatives de paix, vous pouvez en savoir plus sur AliRazaKhan.com.
امتیاز سے مکالمے تک: پاکستان میں ایک امن ساز کا سفر
علی رضا خان، جو کہ ملتان، پاکستان سے تعلق رکھنے والے ایک پرعزم امن ساز ہیں، ۲۰۱۵ سے فرقہ وارانہ تشدد اور امتیازی سلوک کے خلاف کام کر رہے ہیں، جو کئی دہائیوں سے ان کے ملک کو متاثر کر رہا ہے۔ شیعہ مسلم کمیونٹی کے رکن ہونے کے ناطے، علی نے اپنی ذاتی جدوجہد کو تبدیلی کی ایک طاقتور قوت میں بدل دیا ہے، اور ہزاروں نوجوانوں کو امن سازی اور انتہا پسندی کی روک تھام کی تربیت دی ہے۔
علی کا سفر اس امتیاز کی گہری سمجھ سے شروع ہوا جو ان کی کمیونٹی کو درپیش ہے۔ وہ، دیگر شیعہ مسلمانوں کی طرح، اپنے مذہبی عقائد کے بارے میں نامناسب اور نفرت انگیز سوالات کا سامنا کر چکے ہیں۔ یہ سوالات اکثر جھوٹے اور نقصان دہ تصورات پر مبنی ہوتے ہیں، جو معاشرے کے بعض حصوں میں موجود گہرے تعصب کی یاد دہانی ہیں۔
یہ تعصب، انتہا پسندانہ بیانیے اور نفرت انگیز تقریر سے بڑھ کر، اکثر مہلک تشدد میں بدل جاتا ہے۔ مختلف انسانی حقوق کی تنظیموں اور رپورٹس کے مطابق:
۲۰۰۱ سے اب تک پاکستان میں ۲۶۰۰ سے زائد شیعہ مسلمان پرتشدد حملوں میں مارے جا چکے ہیں۔
سنٹر فار ریسرچ اینڈ سیکیورٹی اسٹڈیز (سی آر ایس ایس) کی رپورٹ کے مطابق ۲۰۱۳ سے ۲۰۱۸ کے درمیان مذہب کی بنیاد پر قتل ہونے والے ۲۰۹۹ افراد میں سے ۸۱۵ شیعہ تھے۔
یہ تشدد مخصوص افراد کو نشانہ بنانے کے ساتھ ساتھ وسیع پیمانے پر بھی ہوا ہے۔ ۲۰۱۳ میں کوئٹہ میں بم دھماکوں کی ایک لہر نے چند ماہ میں ۲۵۰ سے زائد شیعہ مسلمانوں کو شہید کیا۔ ۲۰۲۲ میں پشاور کی ایک شیعہ مسجد میں خودکش حملے میں کم از کم ۶۱ افراد جاں بحق ہوئے۔
توہینِ مذہب کے الزامات امتیاز کا ایک ہتھیار بن چکے ہیں۔ ۲۰۲۰ میں محرم کے بعد شیعہ مسلمانوں کے خلاف ۴۰ سے زائد مقدمات درج کیے گئے، جن میں سب سے کم عمر ملزم تین سالہ بچہ تھا۔ ایک رپورٹ کے مطابق ۲۰۲۰ میں درج ہونے والے تمام توہینِ مذہب کے مقدمات میں سے ۷۰ فیصد شیعہ مسلمانوں کے خلاف تھے۔
شیعہ رہنماؤں اور تعلیم یافتہ افراد کو منظم طریقے سے نشانہ بنایا گیا ہے۔ اس تشدد میں “علم کشی” بھی شامل ہے، یعنی شیعہ ڈاکٹروں، انجینئروں، پروفیسروں اور دیگر پیشہ ور افراد کو قتل کر کے انہیں اثر و رسوخ کے عہدوں سے ہٹانے کی منظم مہم۔
ان چیلنجز کے باوجود، علی رضا خان نے کمیونٹیز کے درمیان پل بنانے کے لیے انتھک محنت کی ہے۔ چنان ڈیولپمنٹ ایسوسی ایشن، پیس ڈائریکٹ اور دیگر تنظیموں کے ساتھ کام کرتے ہوئے، انہوں نے ہزاروں نوجوانوں کو امن سازی اور مکالمے کے اصولوں کی تربیت دی ہے۔ ان کا کام اس بات کا ثبوت ہے کہ ایک فرد کی وابستگی ایک زیادہ برداشت اور پرامن معاشرے کی تشکیل میں کتنی طاقتور ہو سکتی ہے، چاہے حالات کتنے ہی مشکل کیوں نہ ہوں۔
اگر آپ امن سازی کی کوششوں کی حمایت میں دلچسپی رکھتے ہیں تو مزید معلومات کے alirazakhan.com لیے علی رضا خان کی ویب سائٹ ملاحظہ کریں ۔
Ali Raza Khan is a steering committee member of TheYouthPACT, an HIV-positive gay activist, and lives with PTSD.
There’s a particular kind of silence that haunts you when you live at the intersection of identities the world wishes to erase. As a gay man, as an HIV-positive person, as an activist in Pakistan, I have learned to live with the constant hum of threat. But the silence I hear now, echoing from the global corridors of power, is new. It is the sound of abandonment.
The year 2025 will be remembered by my community as the year the walls truly started to close in. We are facing a crisis that is not merely financial but existential. The announced global funding cuts to development work, NGOs, and UN agencies are not just line items on a budget sheet; they are death sentences for queer people in Pakistan.
The Double-Edged Sword: No Funds, No Diplomacy
For years, we survived on a fragile lifeline. International funding allowed a handful of beleaguered NGOs to provide safe houses, HIV medication, legal aid, and a sliver of hope. This was often coupled with quiet, yet firm, diplomatic pressure. When Western nations funded human rights, they also, occasionally, spoke up for them. Countries would raise our plight within UN human rights bodies, ensuring the violations against us were at least recorded.
That is now gone.
This isn’t just about the money disappearing. It’s about the diplomatic shield vanishing with it. Major donor governments, citing domestic priorities, have slashed their aid budgets. A UN Women survey in March 2025 found that 47% of women’s rights organizations, often our allies and service providers—expect to shut down within six months. The US has terminated over $500 million in grants for programs tackling child labor and human trafficking, issues that disproportionately affect vulnerable LGBTQI+ youth.
This withdrawal creates a vacuum of accountability. When UN bodies are themselves starved of funds, they cannot monitor or report on human rights violations. For the gay community, which already suffers from a severe lack of official data on persecution, this means we are being rendered invisible before we are eradicated. Our pain will not even be a statistic.
The State Tightens Its Noose
The Pakistani government has seized this moment of global indifference to launch a systematic assault. For NGOs, the labyrinth of bureaucracy has become a trap. The Economic Affairs Division (EAD) now demands exhaustive pre- and post-reporting on all foreign funds, effectively paralyzing organizations. Renewing an NGO’s registration or obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) has become an exercise in futility. The result is mass closures, not by decree, but by a slow, deliberate strangulation. We are losing the very infrastructure that kept many of us alive.
Simultaneously, the state is weaponizing the law. The 2025 amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) have created a vague and powerful tool to crush dissent. The law criminalizes the “intentional” dissemination of “false information,” a charge easily fabricated against any activist. It has also established a new Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) with sweeping powers to block any content deemed “unlawful or offensive.”
This is a direct attack on us. The LGBTQI+ community in Pakistan exists primarily online. We cannot register as organizations because our very identities are criminalized under Section 377 of the Pakistan Penal Code, a colonial-era law that prescribes up to life in prison for “carnal intercourse against the order of nature.” The digital world was our last safe-ish space. Now, that space is being burned to the ground.
The government has already banned Grindr and other dating apps. For a time, we used VPNs to circumvent the blocks, but in late 2024, the state began heavily regulating and blocking unregistered VPN services, further isolating us. This isn’t theoretical. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Faisalabad has actively used dating apps to entrap and arrest gay men. The state is not just censoring us; it is actively hunting us.
The Human Cost of Silence
When the system is designed to crush you, even seeking help is a risk. Activists who dare to speak out are met with the state’s full force. They are placed on travel restriction lists, like many activist who was blocked from traveling to participate in human rights related activities. They are subjected to enforced disappearances. They are slapped with fabricated FIRs that turn them into criminals in the eyes of the very international bodies that once might have helped them.
The message is clear: you are on your own.
The global community, by defunding our protectors and turning a blind eye to our persecution, has become complicit in this assault. They have signaled to the Pakistani government that the lives of queer people are disposable.
As an activist, I am supposed to end with a message of hope. But hope is a luxury we can no longer afford. What we have is a burning, defiant rage. We see the walls closing in, we hear the silence of our former allies, and we know that we have only ourselves to rely on now. We will continue to organize in the shadows, to support each other in secret, to fight for our right to exist. But I ask the world, as you turn your back on us, how many of us have to disappear before you notice we are gone?
Ali Raza Khan, a dedicated peace-builder from Multan, Pakistan, has been working since 2015 to combat the sectarian violence and discrimination that has plagued his country for decades. Drawing from his personal experiences as a member of the Shia Muslim community, Ali has channeled his struggles into a powerful force for change, training thousands of young people in peace-building and preventing violent extremism.
Ali’s journey began with a deep understanding of the discrimination faced by his community. He, like many other Shia Muslims, has endured inappropriate and hateful questions about his religious practices. These questions, often based on false and harmful stereotypes, are a stark reminder of the deep-seated prejudice that exists in some parts of society.
This prejudice, fueled by extremist rhetoric and hate speech, has often escalated into deadly violence. According to various human rights organizations and reports:
Since 2001, more than 2,600 Shia Muslims have been killed in violent attacks in Pakistan. A report from the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) notes that between 2013 and 2018, 815 of the 2,099 people murdered for their religion were Shia.
The violence has been both targeted and widespread. In 2013, a series of bombings in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, killed over 250 Shia Muslims in just a few months. A single suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Peshawar in 2022 killed at least 61 people.
Blasphemy accusations are a tool of discrimination. In 2020, over 40 blasphemy cases were registered against Shias following the month of Muharram, with the youngest accused being a three-year-old child. A report also notes that 70% of all blasphemy cases in 2020 were against Shia Muslims.
Shia leaders and educated individuals have been systematically targeted. The violence has included what is described as “intellecticide,” a systematic campaign of murder against Shia doctors, engineers, professors, and other professionals, to remove them from positions of authority.
Despite these challenges, Ali Raza Khan has worked tirelessly to build bridges between communities. Through his work with organizations such as Chanan Development Association, Peace Direct, and others, he has trained thousands of young people on the principles of peace-building and dialogue. His work is a testament to the power of one person’s commitment to creating a more tolerant and peaceful society, even in the face of immense adversity.
Quel immense honneur ce fut de me tenir sur la scène de la Basel Pride 2025, le 28 juin, organisée par Baselticktbunt. Ce fut une journée remplie de célébration vibrante, mais aussi une plateforme cruciale pour des discussions profondes sur les droits humains et la lutte continue pour une véritable égalité. J’ai partagé la scène avec des personnalités remarquables : Conradin Cramer, Président du Conseil d’État et chef du Département présidentiel de Bâle-Ville ; Edibe Gölgeli, Membre du Grand Conseil de Bâle-Ville ; et Frank Lorenz, Pasteur et directeur de l’Église Ouverte Elisabethen.
L’introduction de l’hôte m’a sincèrement touché : “Veuillez accueillir notre prochain orateur, Ali Raza Khan. Ali est un militant des droits humains originaire de Multan, Pakistan, avec un accent fort sur la santé et les droits sexuels et reproductifs, la prévention du VIH et la paix. Il est le fondateur de PridePakistan.org et a travaillé avec de nombreuses organisations pour défendre les droits des communautés marginalisées. C’est un militant primé, un écrivain et une voix pour d’innombrables personnes. Il est également un demandeur d’asile gay et séropositif ici en Suisse, et il est là aujourd’hui pour partager son histoire. Veuillez accueillir chaleureusement et respectueusement Ali Raza Khan.”
Ce fut un moment d’immense fierté, mais aussi, comme je l’ai avoué dans mon discours, terrifiant. Les mots que j’ai partagés ce jour-là viennent d’une expérience personnelle profonde, un cheminement de la peur à une détermination féroce à défendre la justice.
Bonjour Bâle ! Joyeuse Pride !
J’ai commencé par remercier les organisateurs pour cette plateforme vitale, soulignant que si c’était un honneur, c’était aussi terrifiant. Mon identité, mise à nu sur cette scène, est complexe : un homme gay du Pakistan, un activiste, séropositif et vivant avec un syndrome de stress post-traumatique. Et surtout, je suis un demandeur d’asile dont la demande a été rejetée par le Secrétariat d’État aux migrations (SEM) suisse, qui estime qu’il est sûr pour moi de retourner au Pakistan – une conviction que je sais fausse.
Mon objectif était de faire comprendre pourquoi j’ai quitté ma maison, ce que j’espérais et la choquante réalité que j’ai rencontrée en tant que demandeur d’asile.
De l’ombre à la scène : Ma vie au Pakistan
Mon histoire commence à Multan, au Pakistan – la “ville des saints”, mais pour les personnes queer comme moi, une ville de vies cachées et de secrets. Pendant plus d’une décennie, je me suis consacré à l’activisme : construction de la paix, lutte contre la violence basée sur le genre et défense inlassable de la santé sexuelle et des droits de la communauté LGBTQI+. J’ai fondé Pride Pakistan et travaillé avec des organisations sur la prévention du VIH, une réalité qui fait partie de mon propre parcours. Mon CV est peut-être long et rempli de réalisations, mais il cache une vérité plus crue : une double vie. J’étais un activiste public, mais un homme gay caché. Au Pakistan, embrasser ouvertement mon identité était une impossibilité dangereuse.
Le danger n’était pas abstrait. Je me souviens d’une descente de police effrayante lors d’un rassemblement privé de la communauté gay, où nous avons été torturés, filmés et relâchés avec un avertissement glaçant. Un autre activiste, moins chanceux, a disparu pendant trois semaines après avoir été enlevé par une agence de sécurité armée, revenant brisé.
Mon propre activisme a entraîné des menaces constantes. Être gay, séropositif et oser signaler des violations des droits humains à l’ONU et à d’autres organismes internationaux, a conduit à des appels anonymes et à des tentatives de piratage persistantes. Ma vie était remplie d’abus : rapports sexuels forcés sous la menace de révélation, chantage et abus émotionnels et physiques de la part d’un partenaire, sans possibilité de signaler aux autorités en tant qu’homme gay. Ma famille, dans une tentative malavisée de me “réparer”, m’a forcé à un mariage traumatisant qui s’est terminé rapidement.
Je vivais avec un syndrome de stress post-traumatique bien avant de savoir ce que c’était, croyant que la panique constante et la menace d’arrestation ou de mort faisaient simplement “partie du travail”. Mais j’étais brisé. J’ai fui le Pakistan non seulement pour sauver ma vie, mais pour sauver mon âme.
L’illusion du refuge : Mon expérience d’asile
Je suis venu en Suisse en quête de refuge, un mot qui promet abri et protection. Je croyais en la promesse des droits humains, en particulier pour les personnes LGBTQI+ vulnérables. Ce que j’ai trouvé fut un autre type de traumatisme au sein du processus d’asile.
Ma première “maison” à Bâle était un bunker souterrain – sans fenêtres, sans lumière du soleil et sans sécurité incendie adéquate. Logé avec des dizaines d’autres hommes, hétérosexuels et parfois violents, j’ai été témoin de bagarres et de sang. Les conditions insalubres et le manque de dignité humaine fondamentale étaient choquants. Ceci, ai-je expliqué, est la réalité des demandeurs d’asile masculins célibataires, quelle que soit leur orientation sexuelle. Votre humanité vous est arrachée à la porte. J’ai vu d’autres hommes gays dans des camps fédéraux, fuyant la persécution comme moi, entassés à 20 dans une pièce sans espace personnel.
La guerre psychologique du système est insidieuse. Les transferts constants et inexpliqués d’un camp à l’autre ne sont pas de la simple bureaucratie ; ce sont des outils délibérés pour briser les esprits et obliger les gens à abandonner. Ma santé physique et psychologique était secondaire. Même avec un diagnostic de syndrome de stress post-traumatique complexe, obtenir des rendez-vous pour une thérapie est une bataille constante et épuisante. Accéder à mes médicaments vitaux contre le VIH était un combat rempli de retards et de peur. J’ai vu des femmes saigner et de jeunes garçons blessés ne recevoir rien de plus qu’un chiffon propre.
L’aspect le plus cruel est peut-être le processus juridique. Le représentant légal fourni par le SEM est un fantôme, un visage différent à chaque fois, un étranger le jour de votre entretien de vie ou de mort, puis parti. Et l’entretien lui-même est un abus. La transcription officielle de mon entretien, l’histoire de ma vie et de mon traumatisme, a été modifiée. Des déclarations que j’ai faites ont été changées, des choses ajoutées que je n’ai jamais dites, sans aucun moyen de le prouver.
Le SEM a affirmé que le Pakistan est sûr pour les personnes gays, faisant référence à une organisation qui a été fermée il y a des années, dont le personnel a fui et a trouvé protection ailleurs. Ils ont affirmé que parce que j’étais venu en avion, je n’étais pas en assez grand danger – peut-être voulaient-ils que je sois arrêté à l’aéroport, ou que je risque de me noyer en Méditerranée, pour que ma demande soit valide. Concernant mon SSPT, ils ont affirmé que ce n’était pas “assez de traumatisme”, suggérant que je pourrais me faire soigner au Pakistan. Mais le “traitement” là-bas vise à “guérir” mon identité, pas à prendre soin de ma personne, reflétant les tentatives de “cure” religieuse de ma famille.
L’asile ici n’est pas simplement défaillant ; il est activement hostile. Il demande : “Êtes-vous assez gay ? Êtes-vous assez traumatisé ? Avez-vous été suffisamment torturé ?” pour mériter protection. J’ai vu d’innombrables personnes LGBTQI+ recevoir des décisions négatives, être renvoyées dans des pays où elles sont confrontées à l’arrestation, à la violence ou à la mort. Le système d’immigration suisse ne considère pas l’arrestation pour homosexualité comme suffisamment préjudiciable.
L’espoir est en vous
Mais je ne suis pas venu pour dire qu’il n’y a pas d’espoir. Il y en a. Je l’ai ressenti de la part des bénévoles dévoués de Queer Amnesty, de Christian Waffenschmidt et Miroslav Ostojic, qui m’ont aidé à comprendre mes droits et l’importance de mon entretien. J’ai vu cet espoir dans le travail d’autres organisations caritatives soutenant les réfugiés.
L’espoir, ai-je déclaré, n’est pas dans le système, mais en nous : les bénévoles et les demandeurs d’asile eux-mêmes.
À la Basel Pride, nous célébrons la liberté, mais nous devons aussi nous battre pour elle. J’ai exhorté le public à voir au-delà de l’image polie de la Suisse. Questionnez le récit officiel. Demandez à vos représentants pourquoi le SEM opère avec une telle impunité, modifiant les transcriptions, ignorant les preuves, détruisant des vies et mentant dans les documents officiels.
J’ai imploré les gens de faire du bénévolat. Inscrivez-vous au programme de mentorat de Queer Amnesty. Votre empathie, votre temps et votre compréhension de ce pays sont une bouée de sauvetage pour les réfugiés queer qui sont perdus, effrayés et seuls. Vous pouvez fournir le soutien par les pairs dont des personnes comme moi ont désespérément besoin.
Enfin, j’ai souligné que votre Pride est politique. La Pride a commencé comme une émeute, une protestation contre un système qui cherchait à nous maintenir dans l’ombre. Ce combat est loin d’être terminé. Il se déroule en ce moment même, dans les bunkers d’asile souterrains, dans les salles d’entretien du SEM et dans le cœur de ceux à qui on dit que leur traumatisme n’est pas “suffisant”.
Mon histoire, ai-je souligné, n’est pas unique. D’innombrables autres sont ici, vos voisins vivant dans les camps d’asile et de réfugiés de Bâle, même si vous ne les voyez pas.
La véritable Pride n’est pas seulement une célébration ; c’est un combat. C’est le combat pour la personne dans le bunker ce soir qui a peur de dormir. C’est le combat pour la lesbienne d’Ouganda qui a reçu une décision négative, la personne trans du Pérou qui est expulsée, et l’homme gay du Pakistan, comme moi, qui poursuit une bataille juridique.
Il n’y a pas de fierté pour quiconque tant qu’il n’y a pas de liberté, de dignité et de sécurité pour tous.
Merci de votre attention, et merci de faire partie de ce combat vital. Vous pouvez en savoir plus sur mes expériences et mon plaidoyer ici sur mon site web, AliRazaKhan.com.
What an incredible honor it was to stand on the stage at Basel Pride 2025 on June 28th, organized by Baselticktbunt. It was a day filled with vibrant celebration, but also a crucial platform for profound discussions on human rights and the ongoing fight for true equality. I shared the stage with remarkable individuals: Conradin Cramer, President of the Government and Head of the Presidential Department Basel-City; Edibe Gölgeli, Member of the Basel-Stadt Grand Council; and Frank Lorenz, Pastor and head of the Elisabethen Open Church.
The introduction by the host truly touched me: “Please welcome our next speaker, Ali Raza Khan. Ali is a human rights activist from Multan, Pakistan, with a powerful focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, HIV prevention, and peace. He is the founder of PridePakistan.org and has worked with numerous organizations to champion the rights of marginalized communities. He is an award-winning activist, a writer, and a voice for countless people. He is also a gay, HIV-positive asylum seeker here in Switzerland, and he is here today to share his story. Please give a warm and respectful welcome to Ali Raza Khan.”
It was a moment of immense pride, but also, as I confessed in my speech, terrifying. The words I shared that day come from a place of deep personal experience, a journey from fear to a fierce determination to advocate for justice.
Happy Pride!
I began by acknowledging the organizers for this vital platform, emphasizing that while it was an honor, it was also terrifying. My identity, laid bare on that stage, is complex: a gay man from Pakistan, an activist, HIV positive, and living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. And critically, I am an asylum seeker whose application has been rejected by the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), who believe it is safe for me to return to Pakistan – a belief I know to be untrue.
My aim was to shed light on why I left my home, what I hoped for, and the shocking reality I’ve encountered as an asylum seeker.
From Shadows to the Stage: My Life in Pakistan
My story starts in Multan, Pakistan – the “city of saints,” but for queer individuals like me, a city of hidden lives and secrets. For over a decade, I dedicated myself to activism: peace-building, fighting gender-based violence, and tirelessly advocating for the sexual health and rights of the LGBTQI+ community. I founded Pride Pakistan and worked with organizations on HIV prevention, a reality that is part of my own journey. My CV may be long and filled with achievements, but it masks a starker truth: a double life. I was a public activist, but a hidden gay man. In Pakistan, openly embracing my identity was a dangerous impossibility.
The danger was not abstract. I recalled a harrowing police raid on a private gay community gathering, where we were tortured, filmed, and released with a chilling warning. A fellow activist, less fortunate, disappeared for three weeks after being picked up by an armed security agency, returning a broken man.
My own activism led to constant threats. Being gay, HIV positive, and daring to report human rights violations to the UN and other international bodies, led to anonymous calls and persistent hacking attempts. My life was filled with abuse: forced sex under threat of exposure, blackmail, and emotional and physical abuse from a partner, with no avenue for reporting to authorities due as a gay man. My family, in a misguided attempt to “fix” me, forced me into a traumatic marriage that ended quickly.
I was living with PTSD long before I knew what it was, believing constant panic and the threat of arrest or death were just “part of the job.” But I was broken. I fled Pakistan not just to save my life, but to save my soul.
The Illusion of Refuge: My Asylum Experience
I came to Switzerland seeking refuge, a word that promises shelter and protection. I believed in the promise of human rights, particularly for vulnerable LGBTQI+ individuals. What I found was a different kind of trauma within the asylum process.
My first “home” in Basel was an underground bunker – windowless, sunless, and lacking proper fire safety. Housed with dozens of other men, both straight and sometimes violent, I witnessed fights and blood. The unsanitary conditions and lack of basic human dignity were shocking. This, I explained, is the reality for single male asylum seekers, regardless of their sexual orientation. Your humanity is stripped away at the door. I saw other gay men in federal camps, fleeing persecution like me, crammed 20 to a room with no personal space.
The system’s psychological warfare is insidious. Constant, unexplained transfers from one camp to another are not just bureaucracy; they are a deliberate tool to break spirits and compel people to give up. My physical and psychological health were afterthoughts. Even with a diagnosis of complex PTSD, securing therapy appointments is an exhausting battle. Accessing life-saving HIV medication was a fight fraught with delays and fear. I’ve witnessed women bleeding and injured young boys receiving nothing more than a cleaning cloth.
Perhaps the most cruel aspect is the legal process. The legal representative provided by the SEM is a phantom, a different face each time, a stranger on the day of your life-or-death interview, then gone. And the interview itself is an abuse. My official transcript, the story of my life and trauma, was altered. Statements I made were changed, things added that I never said, with no way to prove it.
The Harsh Reality: “Are You Gay Enough? Traumatized Enough?”
My decision: Negative.
The SEM claimed Pakistan is safe for gay people, referencing an organization that was shut down years ago, whose staff fled and found protection elsewhere. They asserted that because I traveled by plane, I wasn’t in enough danger – perhaps they wanted me to be arrested at the airport, or risk drowning in the Mediterranean, for my claim to be valid. On my PTSD, they claimed it wasn’t “enough trauma,” suggesting I could get treatment in Pakistan. But the “treatment” there aims to “cure” my identity, not care for my person, mirroring my family’s attempts at religious “cures.”
Asylum here is not merely broken; it is actively hostile. It asks, “Are you gay enough? Are you traumatized enough? Have you been tortured enough?” to deserve protection. I have seen countless LGBTQI+ individuals receive negative decisions, deported back to countries where they face arrest, violence, or death. The Swiss immigration system does not consider being arrested for being gay harmful enough.
The Hope is in You
But I did not come to say there is no hope. There is. I’ve felt it from the dedicated volunteers at Queer Amnesty, from Christian Waffenschmidt and Miroslav Ostojic, who helped me understand my rights and the importance of my interview. I’ve seen this hope in the work of other charity organizations supporting refugees.
The hope, I declared, is not in the system, but in us: the volunteers and the asylum seekers themselves.
At Basel Pride, we celebrate freedom, but we must also fight for it. I urged the audience to see beyond the polished image of Switzerland. Question the official narrative. Ask your representatives why the SEM operates with such impunity, altering transcripts, ignoring evidence, destroying lives, and lying in official documents.
I implored people to volunteer. Sign up for Queer Amnesty’s mentorship program. Your empathy, time, and understanding of this country are a lifeline for queer refugees who are lost, scared, and alone. You can provide the peer support people like me desperately need.
Finally, I stressed that your Pride is political. Pride began as a riot, a protest against a system that sought to keep us in the shadows. That fight is far from over. It is happening right now, in the asylum bunkers underground, in the interview rooms at the SEM, and in the hearts of those told their trauma isn’t “enough.”
My story, I emphasized, is not unique. Countless others are here, your neighbors living in Basel asylum and refugee camps, though you may not see them.
True Pride is not just a celebration; it is a fight. It is the fight for the person in the bunker tonight afraid to sleep. It is the fight for the lesbian from Uganda who received a negative decision, the trans person from Peru who faces deportation, and the gay man from Pakistan, like me, who continues a legal battle.
There is no pride for anyone until there is freedom, dignity, and safety for everyone.
Thank you for listening, and thank you for being a part of this vital fight. You can read more about my experiences and advocacy here on my website, AliRazaKhan.com.
Je suis incroyablement honoré et enthousiaste d’annoncer que je serai l’un des orateurs lors de la Pride Walk du festival Basel tickt bunt ! le samedi 28 juin 2025. La devise de cette année, « Queer Rights are Human Rights » (Les droits des personnes queer sont des droits humains), résonne profondément en moi et dans mon travail, et j’ai hâte de me tenir à vos côtés en signe de solidarité.
Le festival Basel tickt bunt ! prend une position essentielle contre les attaques politiques croissantes visant les personnes LGBTQIA+ dans le monde entier. C’est un appel puissant à l’action, nous rappelant que, plus que jamais, nous devons nous unir pour défendre les droits humains fondamentaux pour toutes et tous, partout.
Comme beaucoup d’entre vous le savent, mon parcours d’activiste a commencé en 2015. En tant que jeune réfugié gay séropositif du Pakistan, j’ai consacré ma vie à plaider pour la santé et les droits sexuels et reproductifs, la prévention du VIH/SIDA et la consolidation de la paix au sein des communautés gays et queer. J’ai eu le privilège de travailler avec de nombreuses organisations – locales, nationales et internationales – toutes œuvrant pour les droits des personnes gays vivant avec le VIH et d’autres communautés vulnérables.
Actuellement, je dirige la campagne et le réseau Pride Pakistan, qui se concentrent sur les droits et l’autonomisation de la communauté LGBTQI+ pakistanaise. À l’échelle mondiale, je suis membre de la Délégation des Communautés au conseil d’administration du Fonds mondial de lutte contre le sida, la tuberculose et le paludisme et co-responsable de The Youth PACT, qui travaillent tous deux sans relâche pour prévenir le VIH et le sida chez les personnes gays et d’autres populations clés vulnérables. Mes efforts ont été reconnus par le Youth Leadership Award 2021 et le HIV HERO Award 2021 décernés par APCOM, ce qui renforce encore mon engagement.
La lutte pour les droits des personnes queer est inextricablement liée à la lutte plus large pour les droits humains. Lorsque les droits fondamentaux d’un groupe sont menacés, cela diminue la liberté et la dignité de chacun de nous. Mon discours à la Basel Pride sera l’occasion d’amplifier ce message, de partager mes expériences et d’appeler à une action continue et à l’alliance.
Détails de l’événement : Rejoignez-nous !
Voici les informations essentielles pour participer à la Pride Walk :
Date : Samedi 28 juin 2025
Point de rencontre : Theodorsgraben, dans le parc à côté de la Wettsteinplatz, 4058 Bâle
Heure :
Rassemblement : 15h30
Discours : vers 16h00 (je parlerai vers cette heure-là !)
Je suis particulièrement heureux que les discours soient traduits en langue des signes, garantissant ainsi que notre message atteigne un public encore plus large.
Rejoignez-moi, ainsi que les autres orateurs Conradin Cramer, Edibe Gölgeli et Frank Lorenz, alors que nous marcherons à travers Bâle, envoyant un signal clair et visible pour les droits humains et la diversité. Faisons entendre nos voix et unissons-nous pour un monde où « Queer Rights are Human Rights » n’est pas seulement une devise, mais une réalité vécue par toutes et tous.
Es ist mir eine unglaubliche Ehre und Freude bekannt zu geben, dass ich am Samstag, den 28. Juni 2025, als Redner beim Pride Walk des Basel tickt bunt! Festivals dabei sein werde. Das diesjährige Motto, „Queer Rights are Human Rights“, deckt sich zutiefst mit meiner Arbeit und mir, und ich kann es kaum erwarten, gemeinsam mit euch allen Solidarität zu zeigen.
Das Basel tickt bunt! Festival setzt ein entscheidendes Zeichen gegen die zunehmenden politischen Angriffe auf LGBTQIA+-Menschen weltweit. Es ist ein kraftvoller Aufruf zum Handeln, der uns daran erinnert, dass wir jetzt mehr denn je zusammenstehen müssen, um grundlegende Menschenrechte für jeden, überall, zu verteidigen.
Wie viele von euch wissen, begann mein Aktivismus im Jahr 2015. Als junger, HIV-positiver schwuler Flüchtling aus Pakistan habe ich mein Leben der Interessenvertretung für sexuelle und reproduktive Gesundheit und Rechte, der HIV/AIDS-Prävention und der Friedensförderung innerhalb der schwulen und queeren Gemeinschaften gewidmet. Ich hatte das Privileg, mit zahlreichen lokalen, nationalen und internationalen Organisationen zusammenzuarbeiten, die sich alle für die Rechte von schwulen Menschen mit HIV und anderen gefährdeten Gemeinschaften einsetzen.
Derzeit leite ich die Kampagne und das Netzwerk Pride Pakistan, das sich auf die Rechte und die Stärkung der pakistanischen LGBTQI+-Gemeinschaft konzentriert. Auf globaler Ebene bin ich Mitglied der Communities’ Delegation im Vorstand des Globalen Fonds zur Bekämpfung von HIV, Tuberkulose und Malaria und Co-Leiter von The Youth PACT, die beide unermüdlich daran arbeiten, HIV und AIDS unter schwulen und anderen Schlüsselpopulationen zu verhindern. Meine Bemühungen wurden mit dem Youth Leadership Award 2021 und dem HIV HERO Award 2021 von APCOM ausgezeichnet, was mein Engagement zusätzlich beflügelt.
Der Kampf für die Rechte von Queers ist untrennbar mit dem umfassenderen Kampf für Menschenrechte verbunden. Wenn die Grundrechte einer Gruppe bedroht sind, schmälert dies die Freiheit und Würde von uns allen. Meine Rede bei der Basel Pride wird eine Gelegenheit sein, diese Botschaft zu verstärken, meine Erfahrungen zu teilen und zu weiterem Handeln und Solidarität aufzurufen.
Veranstaltungsdetails: Seid dabei!
Hier sind die wichtigsten Informationen, um am Pride Walk teilzunehmen:
Datum: Samstag, 28. Juni 2025
Treffpunkt: Theodorsgraben, im Park neben dem Wettsteinplatz, 4058 Basel
Zeit:
Treffen: 15:30 Uhr
Reden: ca. 16:00 Uhr (Ich werde etwa um diese Zeit sprechen!)
Es freut mich besonders, dass die Reden in Gebärdensprache übersetzt werden, um sicherzustellen, dass unsere Botschaft ein noch breiteres Publikum erreicht.
Kommt zusammen mit den weiteren Rednern Conradin Cramer, Edibe Gölgeli und Frank Lorenz, wenn wir durch Basel marschieren und ein klares und sichtbares Zeichen für Menschenrechte und Vielfalt setzen. Lasst uns unsere Stimmen erheben und gemeinsam für eine Welt eintreten, in der “Queer Rights are Human Rights” nicht nur ein Motto, sondern eine gelebte Realität für alle ist.
I am incredibly honored and excited to announce that I will be a speaker at the Basel tickt bunt! Festival’s Pride Walk on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This year’s motto, “Queer Rights are Human Rights,” resonates deeply with me and my work, and I can’t wait to stand with all of you in solidarity.
The Basel tickt bunt! Festival is taking a vital stand against the increasing political attacks on LGBTQIA+ people globally. It’s a powerful call to action, reminding us that now, more than ever, we must unite to defend fundamental human rights for everyone, everywhere.
As many of you know, my journey as an activist began in 2015. As a young, HIV-positive gay refugee from Pakistan, I’ve dedicated my life to advocating for sexual reproductive health and rights, HIV/AIDS prevention, and peace-building within the gay and queer communities. I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous organizations—local, national, and international—all striving for the rights of gay people living with HIV and other vulnerable communities.
Currently, I’m leading the Pride Pakistan campaign and network, focusing on the rights and empowerment of the Pakistani LGBTQI+ community. On a global scale, I serve as a member of the Communities’ Delegation to the board of the Global Fund for HIV, TB and Malaria and co-lead The Youth PACT, both working tirelessly to prevent HIV and AIDS among gay and other key populations. My efforts have been recognized with the Youth Leadership Award 2021 and the HIV HERO Award 2021 by APCOM, which further fuels my commitment.
The fight for queer rights is inextricably linked to the broader fight for human rights. When any group’s basic rights are threatened, it diminishes the freedom and dignity of us all. My speech at Basel Pride will be an opportunity to amplify this message, share my experiences, and call for continued action and allyship.
Event Details: Join Us!
Here’s the essential information for joining the Pride Walk:
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Meeting Point: Theodorsgraben, in the park next to Wettsteinplatz, 4058 Basel
Time:
Meeting: 15:30
Speeches: approx. 16:00 (I’ll be speaking around this time!)
I am particularly pleased that the speeches will be translated into sign language, ensuring that our message reaches an even wider audience.
Join me, along with fellow speakers Conradin Cramer, Edibe Gölgeli, and Frank Lorenz, as we march through Basel, sending a clear and visible signal for human rights and diversity. Let’s make our voices heard and stand together for a world where “Queer Rights are Human Rights” is not just a motto, but a lived reality for everyone.
Asalaam Alaikum and a very Happy Pride Month to all!
This Pride Month, I was incredibly honoured to contribute a video message to the Asia Pacific Network of YKP (Youth LEAD AP) for their powerful series, “Queer Joy as Resistance.” As the founder of PridePakistan.org, a network for LGBTQI+ people of Pakistani origin, this theme resonates deeply with the work we do and the lives we live.
Youth LEAD AP shared a snippet of my message on their social media, which beautifully encapsulated the core idea:
“As Part II of our Queer Joy as Resistance videos, we hear from Ali from Pride Pakistan.
‘Queer joy can be found in intimate and resilient safe spaces… when they want us to live in shame and fear, our laughter is a rebellion.’ 💖
Where can you find queer joy in your community? 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
#Pride2025 #Queer #YoungLGBT”
This invitation prompted me to reflect on what queer joy means, especially in contexts like Pakistan where our community faces immense challenges.
For too long, young LGBTIQ+ individuals in Pakistan have been navigating systemic discrimination. We’ve witnessed the insidious spread of anti-gender and anti-rights movements, escalating from whispers on social media to the very halls of policy-making. These movements don’t just seek to silence us; they aim to erase our existence and deny our fundamental humanity.
But our resistance is not solely defined by the fight against oppression. It is equally, if not more importantly, about embracing and celebrating the vibrant tapestry of who we are.
For me, queer joy is that undeniable spark in our eyes when we connect with someone who understands our journey without a single word needing to be spoken. It’s the “hamsafar” – the fellow traveller, the companion – who sees us, celebrates us, and stands unflinchingly by our side, no matter the cost. It’s the shared laugh over a coded joke, a moment of understanding that transcends the need for explanation. In Pakistan, where public expression of our identities can be fraught with fear, queer joy is often cultivated in these intimate, resilient safe spaces – be they online forums, trusted circles of friends, or deep within the sanctuary of our own hearts.
This is why I say: When they want us to live in fear and shame, our laughter is a rebellion.
How can we continue to wield this joy as a potent form of resistance?
By Living Authentically: Every time we choose to live true to ourselves, even in small ways, we chip away at the fear they try to instill.
By Building and Nurturing Our Communities: These spaces, whether online or offline, are our lifelines. They are where we find strength, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
By Celebrating Each Other Loudly: When one of us finds happiness, achieves a milestone, or simply experiences a moment of peace, celebrating that joy amplifies our collective spirit. It sends a message that we are here, we are thriving, and we will not be diminished.
By Extending That Joy Outwards: Our joy can be infectious. It has the power to educate, to challenge harmful misconceptions, and to build bridges with those who may not yet understand.
In Pakistan, where the fight for our rights is an ongoing, often uphill battle, our joy is not a luxury; it is our fuel and our armour. It reminds us of the beauty, the love, and the freedom we are fighting for: a future where every young LGBTIQ+ Pakistani can live freely, safely, and joyfully.
Thank you for allowing me to share these thoughts. Let us continue to find, create, and share our queer joy, not just this Pride Month, but every day.
HIV and hepatitis (B and C) can be asymptomatic for a long time and, if left untreated, can damage bodily functions. There is medication for HIV that allows a person to live a good life. There are effective medications for hepatitis C. With medication, HIV is not transmitted further. Hepatitis A and B viruses can be protected against with vaccination.
🤝 Testing is a human right.
HIV and STI testing should be easily available, without barriers or stigma. Services need to be developed so that people who need them but have not yet sought them out can find their way to these services.
In many European countries, immigrants without a residence permit are left without necessary treatment and services. Health and healthcare are also a right for undocumented individuals and those in similar situations!
❤️🩹 Stigma does not belong in health services.
It must be possible to talk about sexual health openly and respectfully with clients.
STIs are still often associated with shame, which can be a barrier to seeking testing. A professional, through their own attitude, can help a client overcome any feelings of shame related to STIs. It helps the client when the professional asks a few simple and open questions that give the client permission to share what has happened and what STI risks are associated with the client’s sexual practices.
Posters from the Right to HIV Testing project. You can find ready-made materials for celebrating testing week here >> hivpoint.fi/testausviikko
Eurooppalaisella testausviikolla halutaan muistuttaa varhaisen hiv-testauksen merkityksestä ja tähdätään helpommin saavutettaviin hiv- ja seksitautitestauspalveluihin
Miksi hiv- ja seksitautitestausta pitäisi edistää❔
🩷 Varhainen toteaminen edistää hyvinvointia. Testausta tehostamalla saadaan tartunnat hoidettua, tartuntaketjut katkaistua ja edistetään ihmisten seksuaalista hyvinvointia. Hiv ja hepatiitit (B ja C) voivat olla oireettomia pitkään ja hoitamattomina vaurioittaa elimistön toimintoja. Hiviin on olemassa lääkehoito, jonka avulla ihminen voi elää hyvää elämää. C-hepatiittiin on tehokkaita lääkkeitä. Lääkehoidolla hiv ei tartu eteenpäin. Hepatiitti A- ja B-viruksilta voi suojautua rokotuksella.
🤝 Testaus on ihmisoikeus. Hiv- ja seksitautitestausta tulisi olla saatavilla helposti, ilman kynnystä ja leimaamista. Palveluja on kehitettävä, jotta palvelujen piiriin löytävät ihmiset, jotka tarvitsevat niitä, mutta eivät ole vielä niihin hakeutuneet. Monissa Euroopan maissa ilman oleskelulupaa olevat maahan muuttaneet jäävät ilman tarvittavaa hoitoa ja palveluja. Terveys ja terveydenhuolto on myös paperittomien ja paperittomien kaltaisessa tilanteessa olevien ihmisten oikeus!
❤️🩹 Stigma ei kuulu terveyspalveluihin. Seksuaaliterveydestä pitää voida puhua avoimesti ja asiakasta kunnioittavasti. Seksitauteihin liittyy edelleen usein häpeää, joka voi olla este testeihin hakeutumiselle. Ammattilainen voi omalla suhtautumisellaan auttaa asiakasta pääsemään yli mahdollisesta seksitauteihin liittyvästä häpeän tunteesta. Asiakasta auttaa, kun ammattilainen esittää muutamia yksinkertaisia ja avoimia kysymyksiä, jotka antavat asiakkaalle luvan kertoa, mitä on tapahtunut ja millaisia seksitautiriskejä asiakkaan seksitapoihin liittyy.
Held in Geneva I participated in the Communities Delegation preparation meeting as member of the delegation ahead of the 53rd global fund board meeting. The importance of meeting is significance after the pull out of US from major global entities they were funding. This brings the The Global Fund for HIV TB and Malaria programs across the globe under threat as US is one of the major funder with its commitment to match one dollar for each two dollar contribution from other donors.
Digital technology is in many ways a new frontier that is increasingly part of our everyday lives making the perspectives, experiences and lessons learned from key population communities and civil society even more crucial to ground and inform this report. As a leading expert at the global, regional and national level, Iwas invited by UNAIDS consultant Robin Montgomery to have a conversation on the topic of AI for HIV. The conversation covered a number of issues (opportunities, challenges, lessons learned, etc) where I provided the critical input to define and chart the path forward.
How do digital health innovations [and by extension, AI] figure into your organization’s/network’s current and future-oriented strategies?
What are the top 3-4 concerns/risks that you have/your organization has/your communities have expressed about integrating AI technologies into service delivery across the HIV care cascade?
What opportunities do you see for the greater integration of AI tools into HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and programs?
What is needed to build community capacity to engage in AI for HIV interventions?
What are 2-3 key considerations that you would like UNAIDS to reflect within the incoming Global AIDS Strategy?
Are there examples of good practice digital health/AI interventions that you would recommend us to look at?
In 2024, the Youth PACT Partnership did a lot of Impactful work led by young people. In this article, we share some of the essential highlights of the year 2024.
Empowering Youth Through the UPROOT Scorecard Program
In 2024, The Youth PACT Partnership successfully implemented the UPROOT Scorecard Program in over six countries in collaboration with Youth Lead Asia Pacific YKP Network, YPlus Global, UNAIDS, and other stakeholders. This scorecard has been instrumental in assessing youth-led movements and youth engagement at the country level, empowering communities, and providing valuable insights through its comprehensive reports. Our UPROOT Scorecard strategic initiatives extended to various regions, including Nepal, Guatemala, and Madagascar. The project in India, Pakistan, and Ivory Coast since October 2020 has significantly impacted youth empowerment and advocacy.
Advocating for Human Rights and LGBTQIA+ Communities
The Youth PACT has been a vocal advocate for human rights, mainly focusing on the rights of young individuals affected by HIV, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community. Our advocacy efforts include reports, videos, and messages on our social media and website.
Participation in Global Events
Our members have actively participated in high-profile events like the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) and the ICPD 30 Conference in Geneva. Notable contributions include Kushal Rana Singh’s participation at ICPD30 and Xu Yahan’s at CSW68. Our member Adeeba Amin has actively engaged in various advocacy events, including representing adolescent girls in the ICPD30 Global Dialogue in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Digital Advocacy and Webinars
We’ve developed a comprehensive Digital Advocacy Manual, guiding young people in designing and implementing effective digital campaigns. Additionally, we’ve organised capacity-building webinars under ayKP Global Partnership on topics like “Network and Organizational Development” and “Monitoring and Evaluation.”
Raising Awareness of Critical Issues
The Youth PACT has been instrumental in raising awareness about criminalisation laws and their impact on the LGBTQIA+ community, with a notable focus on Ghana. We’ve consistently highlighted the importance of gender identity rights globally.
Contributions to the Global AIDS Conference 2024
Ali Raza Khan and Venicia Fernandes represented The Youth PACT at the Global AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany. During the Youth Pavilion sessions, they discussed youth-led monitoring, the impact of climate change on young people, and the HIV response.
Podcasts and Social Media Engagement
The Youth PACT has produced a series of podcasts related to the UPROOT Scorecard Program, available on our social media channels.
Addressing Emerging Health Concerns
We raised awareness about Monkeypox vaccination, especially among people living with HIV. Ali Raza Khan’s blog post “Vaccination as a Person Living with HIV” provides detailed insights on this topic.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Advocacy
Our advocacy campaigns have highlighted the importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education, mainly through the CSE Asia Pacific 2024 Conference.
Highlighting Global Issues and Achievements
From championing women’s, children’s, and LGBTQIA+ rights in Sri Lanka to addressing adolescent fertility challenges in Latin America, our members have contributed valuable content to our website and social media platforms.
Celebrating World AIDS Day
We ended the year by celebrating World AIDS Day, promoting the “Right Path” for respecting and accepting LGBTQIA+ and key populations’ rights to counter HIV stigma and achieve the UN goal of 95-95-95 by 2030. For World AIDS Day, we amplified the voices of young people living with HIV, calling on global leaders to invest in youth
Personal Contributions by Ali Raza Khan
I, Ali Raza Khan, a young gay activist living with HIV from Pakistan, have made significant contributions to The PACT and AIDS 2024. My engagements included:
HIV Science & Art Exhibition: We will display work at the HIV Science as Art exhibition, highlighting community activists’ struggles.
Participation as Speaker: Speaking at the International AIDS Society’s symposium on the impact of climate emergencies on communities.
Art Installation: I collaborated with artist Khairullah Rahim on an art installation called “Pigeon in Stone Forest,” which depicts the challenges faced by community workers.
The original article written by Ali Raza Khan is available on The Youth PACT website here.
In this year’s blog series, we present the writings of Hivpoint’s Health Buddies 2024 in which they reflect on their own journey in promoting sexual health.Health Buddies spread knowledge about sexual rights and sexual health including HIV and other STIs in migrant and refugee communities. Let us present to you our wonderful Health Buddy Ali Raza Khan.
I am Ali Raza Khan, an HIV positive gay activist from Pakistan and a refugee in Finland. In Pakistan, working for gay rights and HIV awareness comes with significant risks.
As an activist and the founder of PridePakistan.org, I faced constant threats and discrimination with increasing conservative societal norms and legal challenges. It was dangerous to advocate openly for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of gay men.
If you are an HIV positive refugee in Finland, it’s important that you have access to essential healthcare and support services. I have written down some key points to help you navigate through possible challenges you might face.
My journey from Pakistan to Finland was not easy but Hivpoint’s Health Buddy program helped me to continue working for HIV positive community members in Finland. That is why I created this little guide based on my experience for HIV positive refugees in Finland.
1. Disclosure of HIV Status to Authorities
As a refugee, you should disclose your HIV status at your first interaction with authorities even though you might feel afraid because of discrimination or stigma.
It is essential to tell about your HIV status so your treatment will continue or it will be started as soon as possible.
I have learned that when you talk about HIV status at one immigration camp, the information is not shared to other staff members. That is why you have to tell about your HIV status in each new camp.
2. Get Connected to Hivpoint and Positiiviset ry HivFinland
People living with HIV do not have to deal only with HIV but also with societal and internal stigma. Therefore, it is vital to tell the authorities and your nurse if you have psychological needs.
Hivpoint and Positiiviset both have regular activities and program for people living with HIV. There you can meet with other HIV positive individuals to discuss everyday things. I find peer support very helpful during my process.
As an HIV positive individual, I always wanted to discuss HIV related issues with other people living with HIV. Peer support has helped me dealing with internal and societal stigma.
At the street chalk event 2024 organized by Positiiviset ry, Ali draws and makes art about human rights, equality and hope.
3. Getting tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Even if your HIV is undetectable, you can still get other STIs when having sex. Ask your nurse or doctor to get tested for STIs. It would be good to get tested if you’ve had unprotected sex (sex without condom or dental dam) or condom has broken.
You could get tested for STIs at Hivpoint’s free and confidential STI testing services. In addition, Pro-tukipiste offers services for those who are selling sexual services.
Apart from getting essential health and HIV services on time, you might also have some other needs. You can get help from Hivpoint and other associations.
Hivpoint is offering counselling and leisure activities for people living with HIV, and those can keep you to engage in healthy way on ground. In addition, you can participate in Positiiviset gatherings and activities for HIV positive people.
Who to contact?
You can join Pride Helsinki community’s closed refugee support groups. There you will get connected to other queer refugees in Finland and participate in queer and LGBTQI+ events.
It is crucial for your physical and mental health to continue your HIV treatment without a gap. In addition, it would be good for you to participate in association activities. It will help your mental health during the long process of your refugee hearings.
Whether you are in a big city or in distant area it is essential to contact with Hivpoint and other associations. You could do it online or face to face. If you came to Finland alone, you don’t have to be alone anymore.
Via these platforms mentioned above you can find similar people who can understand you. I recommend that you never hesitate to contact and get help from Hivpoint.
Ali visiting Hivpoint´s office at Kalasatama 2024.
Ali Raza Khan The writer is one of Hivpoint’s Health Buddies 2024
The orginal article is posted on Hivpoint.fi website, read more on their website here:
In this year’s blog series, we present the writings of Hivpoint’s Health Buddies 2024 in which they reflect on their own journey in promoting sexual health.
Health Buddies spread knowledge about sexual rights and sexual health, including HIV and other STIs, in migrant and refugee communities. Let us present to you our wonderful Health Buddy Ali Raza Khan.
My name is Ali Raza Khan, and I am an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan. My journey from Pakistani society to Finnish society has been one important chapter of my life.
As the founder of Pride Pakistan, I have been advocating for the health and rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly gay men in Pakistan. However, due to threats to my life and discrimination based on my HIV status, I sought refuge in Finland where I am continuing my activism.
Refugees’ access to HIV, STI and SRHR services in Finland
Upon arriving in Finland, I found myself in a refugee center in a few days. There I first heard about Hivpoint, an organization dedicated to HIV awareness, advocacy, and sexual and reproductive health and rights in Finland.
One of Hivpoint’s volunteers was sharing informative pamphlets which motivated me to continue my HIV and SRHR advocacy work here in Finland. I also realized the gaps that refugees face in accessing HIV, other STI and SRHR services in Finland, particularly living away from major towns.
Health Buddy program helped me to overcome internal Discrimination and Trauma
Determined to continue my activism, I applied and got accepted to the Health Buddy program at Hivpoint. The program provided me with an opportunity to continue working openly for the rights and health of gay men.
Coming from a conservative society where I had to be cautious about everything I said and did, the Health Buddy program had a positive impact on my mental health.
It provided me an opportunity to exercise my HIV identity and gender expression openly in a new society.
The most important thing in the Health Buddy program was that I was doing activities with the support and assistance of Finnish expert colleagues that have been working for broader SRHR issues in Finland for years.
Learnings and experiences from organizing Health Buddy workshops
As a part of the Health Buddy program, I have organized more than five online and live discussions focusing on HIV, other STIs and SRHR awareness. There have been more than 50 people from diverse backgrounds participating in those sessions. This experience was very helpful for me to move ahead in my career path in a new country.
Through the Health Buddy training and interaction with participants of my sessions, I came across various perspectives of queer individuals, refugees, South Asians, students, and others regarding HIV and SRHR in Finland.
Through these workshops, I increased knowledge on safer sex, awareness of HIV and other STIs, consent, sexual rights and gender identity. In addition, I shared information about the availability of treatments and services related to STIs, PEP, PrEP, and contraceptives.
In the workshops, the participants got to know different condoms, lubricants and dental dams.
During the workshops, I realized that especially refugee community members still don’t have access to necessary basic information about HIV, other STIs, testing and treatment.
My message is to continue speaking about HIV
Despite the advancements and availability of HIV treatment, there is still stigma and discrimination towards HIV-positive individuals. It often leads to HIV-positive people not sharing their experiences or speaking about HIV with their communities.
It is crucial to continue speaking, sharing information and awareness about HIV, other STIs and LGBTQIA+ communities to end this stigma.
Ali Raza Khan The writer is one of Hivpoint’s Health Buddies 2024.
Ali Raza Khan, an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan, shares their journey as a Health Buddy 2024.
Recently Asia Pacific Coalition of Men Having Sex with Men or APCOM had asked me for small interview on World AIDS Day 2024. Below is my discussion with them.
Brief bio of yourself
Ali Raza Khan is a young HIV positive gay activist from Pakistan working for the community since 2015, focused on SRHR, HIV, AIDS prevention and peace. He has worked with multiple local, national & international organizations for the rights of people living with HIV, Men having sex with men and gays. As founder Pride Pakistan he is currently working for men having sex with men gay and other queer community in Pakistan. He is serving as member Communities’ delegation to the board of the Global Fund, member UNAIDS Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 targets and co-lead partnership in The PACT. He is laureate HIV HERO Award 2021 by APCOM.
A quotation on the theme of this year’s WAD theme and what it means to you and your community
For me and my gay community, taking a right path is a path of decriminalizing men having sex with men and gay people in Pakistan. It is the only and one path that can help to eradicate new HIV infections and achieve UNAIDS 95 95 95 goal.
Please answer the following questions (try to stick to two paragraphs):
1 – What is the situation of people living with HIV in your country?
People living with HIV in Pakistan are facing enormous challenges due to slow progress towards reducing stigma and discrimination during treatment when visiting health care facilities. People from men having sex with men community and gay have to face it worse way as they have to get denial of treatments, discrimination from health care providers when accessing their HIV health care services. We hear on daily basis the special HIV clinics councilors rather than providing counseling on HIV treatment use derogatory remarks each time any HIV positive individual from MSM and gay community visit them. Due to denial of treatment to HIV community members I estimate hundreds of community members have died so far. Apart from this many other community members are unable to bear stigma and psychological torture from government health care facilities resulting in increase in lost to follow up.
It not only is coming from health care providers only but from work spaces, society and other day to day interactions. We are seeing even key population members held in prison being raped and killed. (1) It becomes more traumatizing for gay community and male sex workers that are unable to openly show their identities in public forums online due to torture and arrest from security agencies torturing gay people on online gay platforms and on ground.
On the other hand, there are increases in new HIV cases due to deteriorating health care system and pressure on healthcare facilities. Quack doctors also contributing into this along with societal practices. We see new and new outbreaks of HIV infections in general public. Such as a few days ago in Multan home town hospital dozens of kidney patients got HIV during negligence in dialysis treatment. (2)
The overall there is huge societal stigma and discrimination based on criminalizing laws all contributing towards increased cases of HIV infections in MSM and gay community. That is why I believe decriminalization of same sex and gay community is the only solution to curb the new HIV infections and achieve 95 95 95 targets.
2 – What and how are you/your organization doing to address these challenges?
We are working on empowering community by raising awareness around MSM & Gay community issues and providing capacity building trainings around their health and rights. We have been organizing focus groups discussions, safe space gathering and capacity building sessions benefiting thousands of people so far.
We are doing advocacy online and offline for the rights of men having sex with men and gay people. We are working with partners global to use diplomatic voice and influence to work around decriminalizing. It is important to bring the voice of gay community members on spotlight and in visibility that never gets highlighted despite the fact that MSM and gay people are one of the most vulnerable key populations.
3 – What support do you/your organization need?
With decreasing funding for community work and restrictions and crack down by authorities for organizations working for men having sex with men, gay and queer community it is becoming difficult for gay organizations to operate. Our organization is also struggling with sustainable funds for the running cost of our functions and salaries. Making most of our members working on volunteer basis. We need essential running cost to ensure uninterrupted work for our Pride Pakistan community.
4 – Anything else you wish to add?
I believe the work we are doing for capacity building and empowerment of men having sex with men and gay people is difficult with a lot of hurdles coming ahead on our way but we will continue to do so because that is the rights path. I wish one day other stakeholders and the government will also be able to take that rights path.
Contributor: Ali Raza Khan HIV HERO Award recipient 2021
Ali Raza Khan is a young HIV positive gay activist from Pakistan working for the community since 2015, focused on SRHR, HIV, AIDS prevention and peace. He has worked with multiple local, national and international organizations for the rights of people living with HIV, men having sex with men and gays. As a founder of Pride Pakistan, he is currently working for men having sex with men gay and other queer communities in Pakistan. He is serving as member Communities’ delegation to the board of the Global Fund, member UNAIDS Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 targets and co-lead partnership in The PACT. He is the winner of the HIV HERO Award 2021 by APCOM.
What is the situation of people living with HIV in your country?
People living with HIV in Pakistan are facing enormous challenges due to slow progress towards reducing stigma and discrimination during treatment when visiting health care facilities. People from the group of men having sex with men and gay community have to face it in a worse way as they have to get denial of treatments, discrimination from health care providers when accessing their HIV health care services. On a daily basis, the special HIV clinics councilors rather than providing counseling on HIV treatment use derogatory remarks each time any HIV positive individual from MSM and gay community visits them. Due to denial of treatment to HIV community members, I estimate hundreds of community members have died so far. Apart from this, many other community members are unable to bear stigma and psychological torture from government health care facilities resulting in increase in lost to follow up.
It not only is coming from health care providers only, but also from work spaces, society and other day to day interactions. We are seeing even key population members held in prison being raped and killed.
1. It becomes more traumatizing for gay community and male sex workers that are unable to openly show their identities in public forums online due to torture and arrest from security agencies torturing gay people on online gay platforms and on ground.
On the other hand, there are increases in new HIV cases due to deteriorating health care systems and pressure on healthcare facilities. Quack doctors also contribute to this along with societal practices. We see new and new outbreaks of HIV infections in the general public. Such as a few days ago in Multan home town hospital dozens of kidney patients got HIV during negligence in dialysis treatment.
2. Overall there is huge societal stigma and discrimination based on criminalizing laws all contributing towards increased cases of HIV infections in MSM and gay community. That is why I believe decriminalization of the same sex and gay community is the only solution to curb the new HIV infections and achieve 95 95 95 targets.
What and how are you/your organization doing to address these challenges?
We are working on empowering the community by raising awareness around men having sex with men and gay community issues and providing capacity building training around their health and rights. We have been organizing focus groups discussions, safe space gathering and capacity building sessions benefiting thousands of people so far.
We are doing advocacy online and offline for the rights of men having sex with men and gay people. We are working with partners globally to use diplomatic voice and influence to work around decriminalization. It is important to bring the voice of gay community members to the spotlight and in visibility that never gets highlighted, despite the fact that men having sex with men and gay people are one of the most vulnerable key populations.
What support do you/your organization need?
With decreasing funding for community work and restrictions and crack down by authorities for organizations working for men having sex with men, gay and queer communities, it is becoming difficult for gay organizations to operate. Our organization is also struggling with sustainable funds for the running cost of our functions and salaries. Making most of our members working on a volunteer basis. We need essential running costs to ensure uninterrupted work for our Pride Pakistan community.
Anything else you wish to add?
I believe the work we are doing for capacity building and empowerment of men having sex with men and gay people is difficult with a lot of hurdles coming ahead on our way but we will continue to do so because that is the right path. I wish one day other stakeholders and the government will also be able to take that right path. If you want to support my work feel free to reach me through AliRazakhan.com
Read the article on Asia Pacific Coalition of Men Having Sex with Men APCOM Website Here
