The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) published on 23 October 2012 a new set of Guidelines on International
Protection relating specifically to claims to refugee status based on sexual
orientation under the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees. These Guidelines supplement the UNHCR
Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status issued for
the guidance of decision takers in countries which are signatories to the 1951
Convention. The Handbook does not have
the force of law but in practice is heavily relied on by civil servants and
judges taking decisions on asylum applications and appeals….
To see the full Briefing Paper No 8.67 click here.