Half of the LGBTQ asylum seekers are subjected to harassment in Dutch refugee centers.
More than half of LGBT asylum seekers in the Netherlands reported being harassed or threatened during their stay in refugee centers, according to a recent survey conducted by the COC organization advocating for equality rights. The results indicate that the conditions for gay asylum seekers have not improved significantly since the organization's previous report in 2018.
The survey was conducted with 54 individuals from the population who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, and it was found that 31 of them had experienced verbal abuse, bullying, or threats. Four out of five participants indicated that they had not been open about their identity due to feeling unsafe in their living environment. No individuals with gender non-conforming identities participated, so the report focused on the LGBTI community excluding them.
The report stated that the sources of abuse included other residents, center staff, and individuals living near asylum seeker centers. The pattern of these violations shows a continued risk to the safety of LGBTQ individuals in these facilities.
COC urged the refugee housing service COA to take stronger measures to protect LGBTI residents, including better training for staff and appointing confidential contact officers that residents can communicate with regarding safety concerns.
COA responded that it is aware of the concerns, but pointed out that overcrowding in the centers makes it difficult to fully meet all safety-related needs of the residents. The organization confirmed that it continues to monitor the issues and seeks to improve the conditions for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.