A 25-year-old gay man from Uganda, identified only as “Sue” for safety, faces imminent deportation from Canada after his refugee status application was rejected. Sue, who arrived in Canada in 2018 as an international student and later worked as a nurse in Edmonton, Alberta, finds himself in a perilous situation due to the expiration of his work visa and the denial of his refugee claim.
The Harsh Realities in Uganda
Uganda’s recent legislation, known as the Anti-Homosexuality Act, imposes severe penalties, including the death sentence for certain same-sex activities. This draconian law has led to widespread abuse against LGBTQ+ individuals in Uganda, raising serious concerns about Sue’s safety upon his return.
The Challenge of Proving Sexual Orientation
Sue’s struggle to prove his sexual orientation to Canadian authorities highlights a significant challenge faced by many LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Despite providing evidence of his participation in the LGBTQ+ community and support from a notable Ugandan LGBTQ+ activist, his application and subsequent appeals were denied.
The Fear of Returning
Sue expressed his fear and hopelessness as he faces deportation back to a country where he risks arrest and torture simply for being gay. He has reached out to Alberta MP Randy Boissoneault, seeking intervention in his case.
Canada’s Stance
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has stated that the decision to remove someone from Canada is not taken lightly, emphasizing Canada’s commitment to offering protection to those persecuted for their sexual orientation. However, the plight of individuals like Sue remains a critical human rights concern.