By Sulaiman Karim Sesay
A Sierra Leone woman, Aminata Kargbo, has sought asylum in Cyprus after enduring severe violence and threats rooted in her sexual orientation.
Her compelling story highlights the dangers faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community in Sierra Leone, where homosexuality is socially stigmatized, and often met with violence.
Born on May 4, 1991, in Freetown, Aminata’s life has been a testament to resilience amid adversity. She came out as bisexual at age 16 and has faced discrimination, threats, and physical attacks throughout her life. Her journey from a young girl initiated into the LGBTQ+ community, through the Ebola epidemic that devastated her family, to her forced marriage and eventual escape from her homeland, underscores the ongoing persecution she faced.
After fleeing Sierra Leone in November 2020 to escape threats and violence, Aminata shared with C4D Newspaper that she found refuge in South Cyprus. There, she gave birth to her second child in 2021, but life remained challenging.
Facing social exclusion and safety concerns, she made the difficult decision to return to Sierra Leone in 2023, and shared her story with C4D Newspaper about her ordeal, and the fact that she was seeking stability for herself and her children.
Her ordeal intensified on her birthday in May 2025, when she was attacked at a nightclub by a mob that saw her and her friend, Marriatu Yambasu, engaging in same-sex affection. She was severely injured and admitted to the Lumley Community Health Center, where she was warned that her life was in danger. Aminata shared with C4D that she will flee from Cyprus and to seek refuge in France fearing for her safety.
Since arriving in Cyprus, Aminata recently shared with C4D Newspaper via online that her safety remains at risk, receiving information that her family and community actively searching for her. She fears that if she is forced to return to Sierra Leone, she will face torture, or worse, because of her sexual orientation, indicating her plans to move to France so seek asylum there.
Her story sheds light on the urgent need for international protection for LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing persecution, especially in countries where their identities are criminalized and their lives are at risk.
Aminata’s case exemplifies the perilous circumstances faced by many in similar situations and underscores the importance of providing safe havens for those seeking refuge.
This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the human rights violations faced by LGBTQ+ persons worldwide and the critical need for continued advocacy and support for asylum seekers seeking safety and dignity abroad.
