El Salvadoran national Joaquín Ramirez - an HIV positive gay man - is set to return home Thursday after the Canadian government denied his asylum plea. Ramirez alleges that three federal cops beat and raped him prior to his great escape and he fears retribution if sent back. "…I am sure that I will be assassinated if I go back. There have been four men who have come to my sister's home in a car and have parked outside her house. They have asked my little niece if I had come back yet and they have also called my sister and told her that they were going to kill me." Canadian officials reportedly doubted Ramirez's claims. [Xtra]

The Canadian government has denied a gay El Salvador national's asylum claim. Joaquin Ramirez alleges three coppers raped him in 2006 and he fears for his life if forced to return home. The government, however, does not seem convinced and wants to send him back. And here we thought the Canadians were progressive… [Toronto Star]