The Refugee Qualification Problems in LGBT Asylum Cases Cover Image

Kvalifikavimo pabėgėliais problemos LGBT prieglobsčio bylose
The Refugee Qualification Problems in LGBT Asylum Cases

Author(s): Laurynas Biekša
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence
Published by: Mykolas Romeris University
Keywords: asylum; refugee definition; LGBT asylum seekers; persecution; state protection; internal protection alternative; Qualification Directive

Summary/Abstract: In 2011 there are 76 countries of the world still criminalising same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults. In seven of those countries homosexual acts are punishable with death penalty (i.e., Mauritania, Sudan, the northern states of Nigeria, the southern parts of Somalia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen). Homophobic (transphobic) attitudes are also frequent in many societies. However, the LGBT asylum seekers are frequently left outside the refugee definition due to many refugee qualification problems in LGBT cases. Therefore, in this article the author aims to describe the main refugee qualification problems in LGBT asylum cases (i.e., criminalisation; state protection against non-state persecution; concealment of sexual or gender identity; internal protection) and propose their solutions. Council Directive 2004/83/EC of 29 April 2004 has several important provisions including LGBT asylum seekers into otherwise gender-neutral refugee definition. Today these provisions need to be correctly interpreted and transposed into practice of the Member States.

  • Issue Year: 18/2011
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 1555-1565
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: English