Seminar: Fleeing Homophobia, Seeking Safety in Europe

Seminar: Fleeing Homophobia, Seeking Safety in Europe


Place	Nicosia, Cyprus
Date(s)	16-17 November 2011

Type of participants	Psychologists, lawyers, social workers, state officials, human rights advocates, academics
Number of participants	25

Each year, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) apply for asylum in EU Member States including Cyprus. This two-day seminar which took place on 16-17 November at the Classic Hotel in Nicosia aimed at raising awareness among government officials and other relevant practitioners on issues such as the national and international legal framework for the protection of LGBTI persons’ rights and how to assess their asylum claims.

International Lesbian and Gay Association's map on Gay rights in Europe. Cyprus scores disappointingly low.

Project's background

The seminar was organized within the scope of the EU-funded project “Fleeing Homophobia, seeking safety in Europe”.

Participants

Participants at the seminar included governmental officials from the Asylum Service, the Reviewing Authority, the Social Welfare Services, and legal officers of the Supreme Court, the Ombudsperson’s office, academics as well as NGO representatives.