Consultation seeks views on draft LGBT asylum protections
A consultation on the international protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex refugees and asylum seekers has been launched today.
The Double Jeopardy consultation seeks to gain views from individuals and organisations on a draft declaration of rights, which will represent a call to action for governments across the world.
The Double Jeopardy Partnership is a coalition of UK and international organisations including UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group, MBARC, Metro, the University of Greenwich and International Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.
The Partnership was established in 2010 following a conference focussed on the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees fleeing persecution as result of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Delegates at the conference agreed a set of principles and accompanying calls for action which have been developed into a draft declaration of human rights for LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers. The declaration is a global call for action to generate change for those fleeing persecution on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The launch of the consultation coincides with a call for papers for the forthcoming Double Jeopardy 2012 conference in the University of Greenwich in July 2012. This international conference will be an opportunity to examine the global causes of LGBTI forced migration and the experiences of LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees.
Lucy Yeatman, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Greenwich said: “Sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex are criminalised in 76 countries including 7 that still impose the death penalty. A recent United Nations Report highlighted some of the extreme acts of violence and abuse that LGBTI people experience around the world, including rape, violence and murder.”
Eddie Bruce Jones from Justice For Gay Africans said “We understand that LGBTI asylum seekers face particular legal and social challenges that implore groups like ours to build coalitions to research, critique and advocate for structural change.”
Visit the Double Jeopardy Partnership site to participate in the consultation and find out more about the Double Jeopardy 2012 Conference.
