The Double Jeopardy Partnership launched a consultation about the international protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) refugees and asylum seekers. The consultation seeks to gain views from individuals and organisations, on a draft declaration of human rights, which will represent a call to action for governments across the world

The Double Jeopardy Partnership is a coalition of UK and international organisations committed to promoting and protecting the welfare of this very vulnerable and persecuted group.  The partnership includes UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group, MBARC, Metro, the University of Greenwich and International Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. The Partnership was established in 2010 following a conference focussed on the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees fleeing persecution as result of their sexual orientation or gender identity. To participate in the consultation and find out more about the Double Jeopardy 2012 Conference please go to http://www.lgbtiasr-doublejeopardy.org/CONFERENCE_2012/HOMEPAGE.html

Delegates at the conference agreed a set of principles and accompanying calls for action which have been developed into a draft declaration of human rights for LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers.  The declaration is a global call for action to generate change for those fleeing persecution on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The launch of the consultation coincides with a call for papers for the forthcoming Double Jeopardy 2012 conference in the University of Greenwich on Thursday 5^th & Friday 6^th July 2012.  This international conference will be an opportunity to examine the global causes of LGBTI forced migration and the experiences of LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees.

Lucy Yeatman, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Greenwich stated that “sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex are criminalised in 76 countries including 7 that still impose the death penalty.  A recent United Nations Report highlighted some of the extreme acts of violence and abuse that LGBTI people experience around the world, including rape, violence and murder.”

Eddie Bruce Jones from Justice For Gay Africans said “we understand that LGBTI asylum seekers face particular legal and social challenges that implore groups like ours to build coalitions to research, critique and advocate for structural change.”

Notes to Editors:

• The Double Jeopardy Partnership: Is a coalition of UK & International organisations, including grass roots civil society organisations and United Nations Agencies. More information available on our website.

• Greenwich University School of Humanities and Social Sciences: has a commitment to researching issues affecting LGBTI people.  The School funded the Double Jeopardy 2010 conference and from the conference a multi-disciplinary research cluster on LGBTI issues was formed which includes researchers from sociology, politics, drama and law.

• Justice for Gay Africans: Is a UK-Based collaborative of activists, artists, academics, politicians and others designed to draw on the leadership and insight of Black people in the UK to affect positive change for Black LGBTI communities in Africa and Europe.

• LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers: Each year approximately 2000 LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers find refuge in the UK alone.  This represents the third largest group of refugees and asylum seekers to arrive in the UK.  People who seek asylum because they are fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity often experience discrimination and extreme social isolation in the countries they flee to.  There is an urgent need for global change for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people and that is why we have drafted the Greenwich Declaration and are organising the Double Jeopardy Conference.