2023-10-09 18:08:53
The LGBTQIA+ community continues to mobilize to avoid the expulsion of Richard N., a 27-year-old man from Cameroon, where he is threatened with prison or even death because of his sexual orientation. Currently detained in the 127bis closed center, the young man might be deported by Saturday, a support committee told the Belga agency on Monday.
Arriving in Belgium in 2016, Richard N. is said to have filed requests for international protection on several occasions for risk of persecution and violence, until now refused by the General Commissioner for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRA). The man has been detained since March of this year in the Steenokkerzeel closed center, despite “clear evidence of his homosexuality”, denounces a member of the support collective.
According to the latter, the person concerned fled his country of origin following having suffered a serious homophobic attack there. When he lived in Liège, the Cameroonian frequented places intended for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Cohabitation procedure
Richard N. also has a new partner, with whom he had initiated a legal cohabitation procedure, which failed following an administrative failure. “We are quite shocked by the situation, we believe that he has the right to benefit from international protection,” insists the collective, which does not understand the reason for the refusal. “There is plenty of evidence to show that he is known to the LGBTQIA+ community. Homosexual practices are punishable by law in Cameroon, he risks prison or death if he returns there,” he argues.
“We had hope of a release, then there was a first expulsion attempt which was unsuccessful and we fear, by Saturday, a second one under police escort. It is a race once morest time that is underway,” adds the collective, which hopes that the CGRS will analyze its file once more.
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