Those who do not dare to visit their country of birth

Zad Jaber is originally from Beirut, Lebanon, but he fears returning there. He is eccentric and identifies as an Arab. The Torontonian is an activist for sexuality and gender diversity. I know there [au Liban]I may be subject to resistance.LGBTQ+ .

The author of an academic publication and book detailing the intersection between the Muslim faith and homosexuality is a survivor of brutal repression. He had no choice but to leave Lebanon. It became dangerous for me to stay. I can no longer live with my family because I put them in danger, he said. He moved to Ontario a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic.

” Even in Canada, I get hate messages on my social networks. They say I spoil the reputation of Islam and Arabs. »

A post-doctoral researcher on transcendence explains respect for human rights, including human rights LGBTQ+ The world has greatly decreased. Egypt has become more conservative. And there were arts, creativity, positive representation of the human body, sexuality and gender. We have regressed in the last 10 yearsHe observes. The same is true in Lebanon and other parts of the Arab worldHe completes.

Zad Jaber is the founder of Marginalized Majority, a non-profit organization focused on the emotional and social health of LGBTQ+ people and people of African descent.

Photo: Tarek Mouqadem

Political opposition

Joseph Pitamba has lived in Ontario for over 20 years. Originally from Burundi, he came to visit his relatives, but since 2015, he no longer dares to return. Things got complicated. I did a film that got me into troubleSays the filmmaker.

The director explains that he gave platform to the enemies and victims of former President Pierre Nkurunziza’s government, which he sought at the time. Unconstitutional Third term. I interviewed people who were tortured by the authorities, and then I made a film about women who were raped and told what they went through.

A documentary titled Not for the third termIt even had to be removed from its website to protect workers who feared for their lives and those of their loved ones. The third-term president died in 2020. [Actuellement,] There is a new president, but from the same political party.

For Torontonians, caution is still in order. He likes to travel to the borders of Burundi, countries like Rwanda.

Joseph Pitamba is also known for The Forgotten Great Lakes, which won the award for Best Film with Social Impact at the SIFA Festival in Montreal last June.

Photo: Stephen Cartier

Freedom of expression

These are similar reasons that prevented Fatoumada Geida from Mali from traveling to her country of birth. In social networks, I’m afraid to go there because I express myself too much, because I don’t agree [le gouvernement] CurrentShe points out.

Ms. Geeta says she sees a crackdown on freedom of expression. All journalists who publish opinions contrary to what the government wants are jailed.

” All those with opposing views [à celle du gouvernement] They keep their mouth shut. Malians have always had moderate Islam, and today this jihadism is new to us. »

Mrs. Geeta says that sometimes she is prone to radical ideas. I am treated as stateless because I do not support the transitional government.

Mrs. Geetha is deeply saddened by the thought of being forced to stay away from Mali. I intervened on local radio stations. The journalist who worked with me was jailed for no reasonshe says.

The Ontario teacher believes this past collaboration makes him a target in Mali.