When human beings are persecuted for their sexuality, their gender identity or their beliefs – or all of these – and forced to flee their homes, we must do all we can to protect them.
The Home Office’s treatment of LGBT+ asylum seekers is appalling
The UK has a long and proud record of providing sanctuary to refugees, but the Home Office’s treatment of LGBT+ asylum seekers is appalling.
Earlier this month,Liberal Democrats revealedthat over the last three years the Home Office has refused over 3,100 asylum claims on the basis of sexuality, even though the people making them were from countries where consensual same-sex acts are criminalised.
Now, a report on LGBT African asylum seekers has found some being accused of “contradiction” by Home Office interviewers, because they are LGBT and Christian. One person even reported being asked, “How can you be lesbian and Christian?”
This Conservative Government is letting down every LGBT+ person
Imagine being forced to leave your home and making it to the UK, only to be told by Home Office officials that your very identity is a “contradiction”. Imagine having your religion used against you, to discredit your claim to asylum.
That is the culture of disbelief that both LGBT+ people and Christian converts face in the Home Office. Officials too often deny them asylum without any evidence; they simply assume that they are lying about who they are.
This Conservative Government is letting down every LGBT+ person and every individual in this country who cares about human rights.
The UK should be leading the campaign across the world against homophobia and transphobia. Instead, we have a Government that is turning its back and looking the other way.
Liberal Democrats demand better for LGBT+ people wherever they live.
Liberal Democrats demand better for LGBT+ people wherever they live.
We will establish a new, dedicated unit to handle asylum claims, free of political interference and without the Home Office’s culture of disbelief.
Liberal Democrats will fix our asylum system so that the UK provides sanctuary to those who need it.