GENEVA (16 May 2022) – On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, a group of UN and regional human rights experts urged governments to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse (LGBT) persons fleeing persecution are protected against violence and treated with dignity. The experts issued the following joint statement: “Among 84 million people who are currently forcibly displaced worldwide, LGBT persons are particularly vulnerable and marginalized. Fleeing persecution and socio-economic exclusion, they often reside in countries that do not provide strong human rights protections or actively discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The structural vulnerabilities that LGBT persons face are intensified by their situation as migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, or internally displaced persons. Persecution from State and non-State actors, as well as socio-economic exclusion fueled by stigma, discrimination, armed conflict, natural disasters, and climate change force many persons of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) to flee their homes in search of a safe environment, where they can live authentically and fully exercise their rights. Over 2/3 of the world’s forcibly displaced people have not crossed a national border in their search for safety. LGBT persons who are internally displaced in countries that criminalize consensual same-sex relations and/or diverse gender identities are rarely systematically acknowledged and addressed by institutions that support internally displaced persons, most typically in fragile or conflict-affected areas. Many LGBT persons in forced displacement who do cross an international border arrive in countries where they encounter similar or higher risks of violence, as well as xenophobia, racism, misogyny, ageism, socioeconomic marginalization, and isolation from traditional support networks. At all stages of their journey, they may be at particular risk of violence, abuse and exploitation from numerous actors, including though not limited to immigration and security authorities, traffickers, and smugglers. “With the number of forcibly displaced persons continuing to rise, States, businesses, and humanitarian and civil society organizations must invest in developing human rights-based policies and programs that take into full account the intersectional dimensions of forced displacement and sexual orientation and gender identity, fostering stronger collaboration and coordination among all actors responsible for the protection of displaced LGBT individuals. Ultimately, the fundamental step to address the rising number of forcibly displaced LGBT persons around the world is to tackle the root causes of forced displacement and ensure LGBT persons can live free from violence and discrimination in their communities, by implementing laws and public policies that can transform the vicious spiral of abuse which forces them to seek protection elsewhere in the first place.” See full statement here. ENDS