tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799086301071172468.post7795726202900643129..comments2024-03-28T09:35:06.979+00:00Comments on LGBT Asylum News: France: Said is free and has found refugepaulocanninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499916652508144662noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799086301071172468.post-33254525371596335932010-06-26T19:57:31.096+01:002010-06-26T19:57:31.096+01:00While I am not a translator, I think the following...While I am not a translator, I think the following translation, which I did, is better:<br /><br />Said is Free and has been Granted Refugee Status - inter-agency news release <br /><br />Nearly three weeks ago, our two associations were alerted of Said's situation.<br /><br />Said is an Algerian. He arrived in France four years ago. For three years, he has been living in Lyon, France, in a PACS civil union with René.<br /><br />Two years ago, Said had sought asylum because of fears of persecution as a homosexual in Algeria, but his application was rejected by the Office Français de Protection des réfugiés et apatrides (OFPRA - French bureau for the protection of refugees and stateless persons), and then by the Cour Nationale du Droit d'Asile (national court on the right of asylum) last December. The prefecture of the Rhone then notified him that he was required to leave French territory within a month. Said and Rene filed an application for review (recours gracieux) before the Prefect of the Rhone seeking the annulment of the decision to deport him, arguing the reality of their PACS civil union, whose shared life they said was solidly documented over more than three years. Poorly advised, they did not file an administrative appeal (recours contentieux) before the administrative tribunal. The Prefect did not respond to the formal complaint and therefore confirmed its decision to expel him. Three weeks ago, the police came to the couple's home and placed Said in detention.<br /><br />Despite interventions by our associations and despite the evidence provided to the prefecture by the couple's lawyer, the expulsion was not suspended.<br /><br />Fortunately, in the meantime, Said was able to assert his right to claim emergency asylum in the meantime. He therefore requested a review of his situation by OFPRA. Yesterday, Said was recognized as a refugee under the Geneva Convention. He was released, his expulsion was rescinded and he received permanent protection.<br /><br />Our associations are reassured about Said and welcome a particularly strong decision by OFPRA.<br /><br />However, we do not fail to note also that if OFPRA had not granted him refugee status, Said could be in Algeria today, separated from his companion even though he had been living with him for three years now.<br /><br />Do we accept that the authorities of our country separate a couple because one of them has no papers? What about the fundamental right to privacy and family? Do we accept that our country breaks in a few days the lives of men and women, some living here for many years, for no other reason than to achieve a target number which has no explanation?F Youngnoreply@blogger.com