Caroline Allen, Islington-based Green Party candidate for the European elections in May, wrote a column last week for leading LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) news website PinkNews.co.uk, on how the government has failed those fleeing homophobic and transphobic persecution.
In the piece, she writes how it is “testament to our city that London can provide safe and inclusive spaces for LGBT people” – and speaks of her pride in how “the UK has always been at the forefront of LGBT rights in Europe” – pointing to a number of European states which have denied equal marriage rights to LGBT people.
Nevertheless, she says, it is “distressing to see clear cut instances of when the UK has failed” – particularly when it comes to providing a safe haven for LGBT people who face persecution in their home country.
“The UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group have highlighted that 98-99% of LGBT asylum seekers are initially rejected”, she says, “yet 30% of cases are approved on appeal. Clearly the system is failing if so many individuals are eventually found to be genuine asylum seekers.
“Asylum seekers have come forward to say that immigration officials have pushed them into ‘proving’ they are gay. When immigration officials are asking people what clubs asylum seekers go to or what their favourite song is it is clear they don’t understand LGBT asylum seekers. In some instances claimants have felt forced into providing photographic evidence of their sexual behaviour, to prove their status. This is clearly intolerable.”
She concludes: “This culture of appeasing anti-migration sentiment means we have an asylum system that is severe and unyielding. We must reject lazy pandering to myths around migration and asylum; and we must protect London’s status as a safe inclusive haven.”
Caroline Allen is a vet and is an MEP candidate for the Green Party in London, and a candidate in the Islington council elections. She is also one the Green Party spokesperson on animal issues.
To read the piece in full on the Pink News site, click here
