Written question asked by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 March 2005. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Thursday, 17 March 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what training is provided to officials dealing with asylum applications regarding the grounds for granting refugee status to applicants who have fled persecution because of their homosexuality.

Answer: Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is provided to officials dealing with asylum applications regarding the grounds for granting refugee status to applicants who have fled persecution because of their homosexuality. [221806] Mr. Browne: Training is given to asylum caseworkers on making decisions based upon the criteria set out in the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Homosexuality is not specifically mentioned under the 1951 Convention, but in the training of asylum caseworkers it is advised that homosexuality in certain limited circumstances may constitute a significant factor in the recognition of a particular social group under the terms of the Convention Under the terms of the Convention a refugee is a person who can demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution in his country of origin for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.

Secondary information