Refugees in the United Kingdom. The case of Alvin G. a homosexual Tutsi from Burundi: the Appeal Court in Newport has reserved a decision on Alvin's application for asylum.
As a homosexual, Alvin (whose case is being campaigned on an international level by EveryOne Group) would very likely be imprisoned if he were to be deported from the UK back to his home country. However, the boy has already been subjected to persecution in his homeland for belonging to the ethnic Tutsi minority. His entire family was slaughtered (with the exception of his eldest sister, who was granted asylum in the UK) during an ambush in Burundi, and if Alvin were to return, he would have no relatives or anyone else there to help and protect him.
At the hearing, Reese Clovis, Alvin's lawyer, produced a statement and a report by EveryOne Group in court, and a letter from the NGO stating the reasons why it has become more urgent than ever for the young homosexual be granted international protection and authorization to remain in the United Kingdom.
The judge has reserved the decision, which should be communicated in the next ten days.
EveryOne Group, which has already appealed to the members of the EU Commission and European Parliament for help for the young refugee, has to date been able to involve the Hon. Graham Watson, ALDE MEP for South West England and Gibraltar, and Michael Cashman, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup at the European Parliament.
Mr. Watson, who in the spring of 2010 submitted a question to the EU Parliament and the EU Council concerning Alvin’s story, sent a message to the co-presidents of EveryOne Group.
“I support the right of all people to express their sexuality” writes Mr. Watson. “I am therefore concerned to hear that Mr. Alivin G. may not be able to do so without fear of reprisals. I have written to Vice President Ashton, the EU’s High Representative for foreign affairs,” adds Mr. Watson, “to ask for her comments about the treatment Mr Gahimbaze could experience if he is returned to Burundi, and to ask what the European Commission is doing to support the rights of the Burundi people”.
Mr. Michael Cashman and the LGBT Intergroup Secretary at the EU Parliament Mr. Bruno Selun has also assured us he will follow the development of Alvin’s case very carefully, in close contact with EveryOne Group's activists. “We hope soon” say Roberto Malini, Matteo Pegoraro and Dario Picciau, “to see Alvin's fundamental rights protected, in line with the Geneva Convention, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the EU directives and the international human rights charters that guarantee protection and assistance to human beings in situations of difficulty and danger.
Related articles:
Update on Alvin Gahimbaze's case
Refugees Rights in the UK. Interview with Alvin Gahimbaze
Bloody Hands Campaign: Save the young homosexual Alvin Gahimbaze
Refugees in the UK. Update about the case of Alvin G.
UK, the case of the young gay refugee Alvin Gahimbaze
Refugees. An appeal to the United Kingdom to stop the deportation of Alvin Gahimbaze.
