Safe enough? Not gay enough? The IND has a say.
For years people have applied for refuge in the Netherlands out of risk of persecution in their country of origin. Reasons include the risk of persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Netherlands’ current system asks people to prove their sexuality or gender identity and how this poses a risk to their safety. This has sparked contentious discussion in recent years.
I had the opportunity to speak with Lucas, a gay refugee and Roel Vrijwilligersportret from the LGBTQIA+ organisation Rainbow Den Haag.
Roel explained how this application process is a “delicate subject”. He highlighted the cultural insensitivities of the system. Roel explained, “many of these refugees come from countries where they do not trust authorities”. Roel continued, that to come to a new country and have to discuss one’s sexual orientation thoroughly with authorities in a whole new country can be quite “insensitive”.
Through Roel’s work with Rainbow Den Haag, he has also supported a number of people who have been denied refuge as the IND does not believe they are at risk of persecution due to their sexual or gender orientation. In our discussion, Roel described how he has supported these people in court cases where many people dispute their refugee status. He highlighted how he believes this is an ongoing issue in the Netherlands in need of being addressed.
Below you will hear my discussion with Lucas; a gay Kurdish refugee from Syria who sought refuge in the Netherlands on the basis of his sexuality. He found the process difficult, however, felt comforted by the fact the immigration office is aware of ongoing tensions in Syria. Lucas speaks of the importance of the current system in ensuring that people from the LGBTQIA+ community are able to be seen, whilst also ensuring people are not trying to use this policy as a way around the current immigration system.
Photo description: Person standing holding Pride flag in front of IND Immigration Office in Amsterdam
