Gay Men Fighting To Live In UK

In many countries in the world homosexual people face discrimination.

I’m not talking about simple name calling and hate bashing, but time in jail and sometimes the death penalty. What can we do to help these people in countries like the UK? And should we help them?

The UK’s highest court is currently being challenged by two homosexual asylum seekers who were denied and told to go back to Iran and Cameroon.

Treatment of gays and lesbians in both countries in question is severe. Punishment for homosexual acts ranges from public flogging to execution in Iran, and, Amnesty has said that homophobia is “endemic” in Cameroon. Sentences for homosexuality range from six months to five years.

Of people seeking asylum in the UK, the refusal rate is generally 73%, whereas people claiming on homosexual grounds get refused 98% of the time.

“It seems that the Home Office are routinely refusing applications on the grounds that lesbians and gay men can go back and be “discreet” or “relocate”, said Angela Mason, the patron of the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group. “Decisions are being made by Home Office case owners who lack essential training 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.”

But is it the job of the UK to look after these people? Should they go back, hide their sexuality, and work to come here as skilled workers or students rather than seeking asylum?

Frankly, although I don’t know much about the laws, I can’t see how this is any different from granting asylum to people who face being killed for their political beliefs.

I don’t think any government claiming to uphold human rights and equality should send people back to a country knowing they will go to jail or face the death penalty. There is something seriously wrong with the system when this happens and a review of the policy would be a great idea.