GAY asylum seekers are entitled to stay in Britain if faced with threats based on their sexuality in their countries of origin, the Supreme Court has ruled today.
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In a landmark ruling that overturned an earlier decision of a lower court, two young men, one from Iran, the other from Cameroon, were told they need now be deported.
Until today, British immigration officials had long based decisions on the idea that those under threat could simply hide their sexuality to avoid persecution and so were undeserving of asylum.
That logic has now been overturned.
“To compel a homosexual person to pretend that his sexuality does not exist or suppress the behaviour by which to manifest itself is to deny his fundamental right to be who he is,” said Lord Hope, deputy president of the Supreme Court, which is in Parliament Square.
“Homosexuals are as much entitled to freedom of association with others who are of the same sexual orientation as people who are straight.”
The government was quick to accept the new ruling.
“I welcome the ruling,” said Home Secretary Theresa May.
“I do not believe it is acceptable to send people home and expect them to hide their sexuality to avoid persecution. From today, asylum decisions will be considered under the new rules.”