Deutsche Welle
August 16, 2018
A young Afghan’s application for asylum in Austria was rejected over authorities’ doubts about his stated sexual orientation, Austrian weekly magazine Falter reported on Wednesday. Officials based the rejection on their belief that he did not “act” or “dress” like a homosexual.
“The way you walk, act and dress does not show even in the slightest that you could be homosexual,” the official reportedly wrote. For this reason, the Austrian official found no grounds for the young man to fear for his safety in Afghanistan. The Afghan plans to appeal the decision, Falter said.
In Afghanistan, homosexuality is illegal and considered a crime that carries a maximum sentence of death, according to Sharia law. Homosexuals face rejection from society at large, which considers their sexual orientation immoral.
‘Aren’t homosexuals rather social?’
The young Afghan came to Austria alone in 2016 and was placed in the SOS Children Village refugee camp. Initially, he rested his asylum case on the fact that he was a part of the Hazara minority, which is persecuted in his home country, and later appealed on the grounds of his sexual orientation. Advocates of the teenager said he was initially afraid to come out.
The migration official took issue with the Afghan’s behavior problems, the fact that he had been involved in fights at the refugee center and concluded that he had “potential for aggression” that “wouldn’t be expected from a homosexual.”
This article was posted: Thursday, August 16, 2018 at 6:30 am
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