Free Shamial Raj and Shahzima Tariq

We, the Undersigned, endorse the following petition:

We support the rights of Shamial Raj and Shahzima Tariq to not be harassed, persecuted or humiliated by any person, state or medical authority so that they can lead a healthy married life irrespective of their gender status.

The Lahore High Court in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has ordained that the plaintiff Shamial Raj 'lied' when he identified himself as 'male', and a medical team later 'found' that he was 'female'. Due to this 'perjury', the court has sentenced the two for three years in confinement and Rs.10,000 fine. This is clear abuse of state power as well as denial of the right to gender self-determination by Shamial Raj.

We implore the government of the United States of America, and specifically this congressional committee to investigate the situation further and truly stand up for the rights of all individuals irrespective of their gender self-determination status. More facts can be found in a report created by the Women Living Under Muslim Laws organization at: http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-553843

We condemn the arrest of Shamial Raj and Shahzima Tariq and demand that they be released immediately. We cannot let the abuse of LGBTQ people go unchallenged anymore and must hold the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan accountable according to international human rights standards and laws.