GAY REFUGEES FACE DISCRIMINATION

A damning new report has confirmed claims that LGBT applicants for refugee status in the UK are considerably less likely to be granted asylum compared to other refugees.

The report, compiled by the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG), found that refusal rates for lesbians and gay men were between 98-99% compared to 73% for other claims.

The study also found that officials making decision on the applications by people fleeing LGBT persecution often recommended that the applicants instead be “discreet” about their sexuality or “relocate” to a more gay-friendly country as a solution.

In the foreword, Angela Mason CBE, said that “decisions on lesbians and gay men seeking refugee status in this country are being made by Home Office case owners who lack essential training and access to appropriate guidance on dealing with such claims.

“The result is that lesbian and gay asylum seekers who are already experiencing persecution may also face discrimination in our own country.”

The report reviewed 50 refused cases in which applicants requested asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation.

The applicants were from countries including Belarus, Cameroon, Dominica, Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen and Zimbabwe.