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Libby Davies, Member of Canadian Parliament and Iranian
Queer Refugees (May 11, 09)
Canadian Embassy
Visa and Immigration Section
Cinnah Caddesi no: 58
06690, Cankaya
Ankara, Turkey
Dear Sir or Madame,
I am writing out of my deep concern for the safety and human rights of gay
and lesbian Iranian refugees in Turkey.
As you may know, there are a growing number of gay and lesbian Iranians
currently in Turkey, having fled atrocious violence and persecution in
Iran. Sadly, once in Turkey, refugees continue to face discrimination and
insecurity.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has condemned
the Turkish government for expelling refugees back to Iran to face unknown
danger, but it continues to happen. Further, these refugees have no legal
status in Turkey, no recourse or protection under the law, and face
extreme poverty and hardship.
I am asking that the Canadian Embassy in Turkey consider the applications
of gay and lesbian Iranians refugees in Turkey as vulnerable cases and
that their applications be processed accordingly. Below is a list of
known refugees who fall under this category and whose files have been
brought to my attention. I urge you to process their refugee applications
with due haste.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Yours Sincerely,
Libby Davies, MP
Vancouver East
(Names
deleted for security reasons)
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