Gay Algerian granted asylum in France

Inter-LGBT
ARDHIS
The Pink Panther
LDH local Malakoff - Montrouge - Bagneux
RESF 92
LGBT Greens Committee

Release

Paris on 29 May 2009

"Samir" is free!

Organizations, public figures and citizens mobilized to prevent the deportation of "Samir", a young Algerian man detained since May 14 at the Bobigny administrative detention center and welcome the decision of the OFPRA to grant him refugee status by Geneva Convention.

This confirms, if needed, that the criminalization of homosexuality and gender identity in many countries justifies the LGBT nationals seeking asylum in France benefit from this status.

Many LGBT people remain in detention in our country who are at risk of deportation, an arbitrary threat which affects their lives and presides over their destinies.

Our organizations urge the French authorities in charge of asylum claims to take seriously these situations into account before submitting to the expulsion of people whose integrity and dignity are threatened.