La Strada Documentation Center

UNHCR Guidance note on refugee claims relating to sexual orientation and gender identity

Document number
2605
Date
2008
Title
UNHCR Guidance note on refugee claims relating to sexual orientation and gender identity
Author/publisher
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Protection Policy and Legal Advice Section, Division of International Protection Services
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Guidelines/Recommendations, International Law,
Keywords
Prevention, Awareness Raising, Media, Information Campaigns, Empowerment, Advocacy, Civil society, NGO, Human Rights approach, Activism, Education, Training;
Summary
This Note provides guidance in respect of refugee claims related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The persecution of people because of their sexual orientation and gender identity is not a new phenomenon. It is only in more recent years that a growing number of asylum claims has been made by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ("LGBT") individuals. This has necessitated greater awareness among decision-makers of the specific experiences of LGBT asylum-seekers and a deeper examination of the legal questions involved.
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