Each year, around 2000 people claim asylum in the UK to flee persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Only one out of five cases of asylum are accepted in the UK, and this figure is worsening still. In 2017, 78% of asylum claims were rejected. In 2015, 61% of cases were rejected.
Between 2015 and 2017, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uganda, Iran and Nigeria were among the countries with the most applications for asylum.
For any LGBT person seeking asylum, the process is very arduous. In order to be granted refugee status, they have to prove both that they are LGBT and that they are fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Very often, the only proof is reliant on the individual’s own testimony. To provide this evidence, they have to disclose intensely personal and intimate information to a complete stranger who then has to decide whether it is a genuine plea.
This disclosure is an even greater hardship when one has never been able to be open about their sexuality or previously been able to discuss these matters.
Once placed in a detention centre while waiting for their asylum application to be heard, there is further very high risk of physical or emotional homophobic harassment.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group were unable to respond to press enquiries because of a lower staff capacity. They shared with me some links to gain a better insight into the process of seeking asylum in the UK based on sexual orientation:
Comments