The Dutch government announced this week that gay Iraqis in the country could apply for asylum based on fear they’d be persecuted at home for their sexual orientation.
Gerd Leers, the country’s Minister for Immigration, Integration and Asylum Affairs, had already temporarily halted the deportation of gay Iraqis in June, following a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The newannouncement formalizes the policy. Reports Radio Netherlands Worldwide:
Koen van Dijk of the Dutch gay rights organisation COC described the announcement as an important victory for Iraqis who had fled the country because of their sexual orientation.
According to van Dijk, Iraq is the most dangerous country in the world for gay people: “Research has shown that 750 people have been murdered for this reason since 2003. There are systematic campaigns. Organised militias publicly declare that they’re hunting down people who exhibit ‘deviant’ behaviour and should be killed according to Islamic law.”
Asylum seekers will still have to apply and prove their claim is valid—a sometimes difficult prospect for someone who has spent years hiding any trace of their homosexuality.
KARUADAM
Support Homosexual Moslem, in the worst places in the world; Gaza strip, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and most other bloody Moslem country. Jordanians gay men & women are welcome in Israel.
dvlaries
Thank you, Netherlands. We should be doing at least as much, but our Neanderthal politicians prefer to shame us in front of you and the rest of the developed world.
Billysees
How come so much death and hate in religion?
I don’t feel that attitude when I learn about Jesus.
freddie
The Dutch gay rights organisation is called COC…
Anonymous
WHY are they only accepting gays from Iraq? What about the countless of other gay
people that live in anti-gay Uganda and Saudia Arabia?
John D'Ambra
This historically peaceful/kind country CONTINUES in doing good against the rampant hatred/bigotry of others
Billysees
@John D’Ambra: No 6
We need more countries like this. As time moves on, more will be added to the list.