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We live in a world where out of the 204 countries, where the information is available, a total of 77 countries (50 for lesbians) carry some form of punishment for homosexuality, 9 of them are known to still carry the death penalty whilst other prison sentences are common (8 carry life imprisonment). Coming out is hard enough in Sydney, the home of Mardi Gras, but imagine coming out to the Refugee Review Tribunal when your life is on the line. |
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Although Australia is a signatory of the up UN Refugee Convention committing us to give asylum to people who are persecuted for their membership to a particular social group, due to a legal loop-hole people persecuted due to their sexuality were not even considered for asylum until December 2003. |
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The case that overturned this involved a Bangladeshi couple. They fled Bangladesh when they were attacked by a homophobic mob and their families disowned them. They were housed in separate compounds in Villawood detention centre – because they were queer they didn’t count as a couple. They were told by the Refugee Review Tribunal that if they returned to Bangladesh they could be discreet about their sexuality to avoid persecution. |
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Asylum seekers are being socially ostracised, experiencing violence by members of the community and extra judicial punishment by police and the authorities. Often asylum seekers arrive from situations where their life has been threatened, their lover has been killed or harmed. They generally experience strong feelings of shame about sexuality which hinders their ability to articulate their refugee experience, and their sexuality. COME TO VILLAWOOD ! |
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