Netherlands opens its doors to gay Iraqis

The Dutch government has announced it will grant asylum to LGBT Iraqis, after declaring Iraq is no longer safe for them.

Immigration minister Geert Leers temporarily halted the deportation of gay Iraqis last month after an alert from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned it was impossible to be openly gay in Iraq without serious risk.

However, Asylum seekers will have to prove their sexual orientation before their request will be granted. Koen van Dijk of Dutch gay rights organisation COC told Radio Netherlands Worldwide that it is unclear how this will be checked and could lead to difficulties.

Note EU-Digest: Mr. van Dijk is completely right. It is unclear how Gays will be checked and identified as being gay and this will certainly will lead to difficulties. As a matter of fact it would be reverse discrimination and unfair against hetrosexual asylum seekers from Iraq or from any other country for that matter. Immigration minister Geert Leers better review this policy again.

Read more: Netherlands opens its doors to gay Iraqis - PinkPaper.com