Syrian security forces have been accused of beating and verbally abusing a transgender woman, according to reports from BBC Arabic and local activist groups. The disturbing incident comes as authorities in Damascus escalate arrests targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, raising concerns over worsening human rights violations in the country.
A video circulating on social media, cited by BBC Arabic, allegedly shows security officials insulting and physically assaulting a transgender woman. The officials reportedly told her:
“Take your p*** out so we can cut it off.”*
While the video’s authenticity has not been independently verified, local activists say it reflects a pattern of abuse faced by trans and queer individuals in Syria.
A security source from the Damascus government confirmed to the BBC that authorities arrested three transgender people last week. However, the source denied that the arrests were part of a systematic campaign, claiming instead that the goal was to “send a message” to trans individuals to stop appearing publicly.
Activists fear this statement signals an unofficial crackdown on LGBTQ+ visibility in the region, with authorities using intimidation tactics to suppress trans and queer communities.
Syria’s Penal Code of 1949, under Article 520, criminalizes what it describes as “sexual intercourse contrary to nature.” While the law primarily targets same-sex relationships, it has been broadly used to justify arrests and persecution of transgender people and other members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In recent years, Syria has faced growing international criticism for its treatment of LGBT individuals, with reports of detentions, forced disappearances, and state-sanctioned violence.
Human rights organizations have condemned the Syrian government’s actions, urging global attention to the ongoing persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals. Calls for intervention and asylum protections for those facing such abuses are growing as LGBTQ+ Syrians continue to navigate extreme risks to their safety.
With recent arrests and the reported abuse of a transgender woman, activists warn that the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous for those who do not conform to state-imposed gender and sexual norms.
