Doc. 12868

1 February 2012

LGBT-related claims for asylum

Motion for a resolution

presented by Ms STRIK and others

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons (LGBT) are subject to persecution and criminalisation in more than 76 countries, including Council of Europe member States. They face discrimination and human rights violations, such as homophobic and transphobic acts or hate crimes, because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Committee of Ministers has recognised that LGBT persons may fall under its definition of “a particular social group” (Rec(2004)9) and acknowledged that “a well-founded fear of persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity may be a valid ground for granting refugee status and asylum” (CM/Rec(2010)5). While 33 member States recognise sexual orientation as a ground for persecution in asylum claims, only six do so for gender identity. Many countries continue to consider that LGBT persons would not be at risk in their countries of origin if they keep their sexual orientation or gender identity secret.

In addition, LGBT persons face serious obstacles in the asylum process, such as the lack of LGBT-sensitive procedures and of awareness, knowledge and training of national authorities. They also experience social isolation and violence in asylum centres. Nevertheless, only a few member States have elaborated LGBT-related guidelines for asylum decision makers.

Therefore, the Parliamentary Assembly should assess the recognition practice of LGBT persons in member States. It should make recommendations on how to increase their capacity in identifying LGBT persons and their acceptance to recognise sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for asylum. The Assembly should also propose the development of guidelines in order to enhance LGBT-sensitivity during the asylum process.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed ^1:

STRIK Tineke, Netherlands, SOC

ACKETOFT Tina, Sweden, ALDE

ALBAYRAK Nebahat, Netherlands, SOC

AXELSSON Lennart, Sweden, SOC

BRAZ Félix, Luxembourg, NR

CEDERBRATT Mikael, Sweden, EPP/CD

CLUNE Deirdre, Ireland, EPP/CD

DARCHIASHVILI David, Georgia, EPP/CD

DÍAZ TEJERA Arcadio, Spain, SOC

FIALA Doris, Switzerland, ALDE

GROSS Andreas, Switzerland, SOC

HANCOCK Mike, United Kingdom, ALDE

HOOD Jim, United Kingdom, SOC

KOX Tiny, Netherlands, UEL

NEGELE Gebhard, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD

VAN NIEUWENHUIZEN Cora, Netherlands, ALDE

ROUQUET René, France, SOC

SCHOU Ingjerd, Norway, EPP/CD

VIROLAINEN Anne-Mari, Finland, EPP/CD

VORUZ Eric, Switzerland, SOC

¹        EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      SOC: Socialist Group

      ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group