GENEVA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR on Thursday said it has launched a series of consultations to identify ways of ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) refugees are better protected against harm.
Ahead of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia marked on May 17, UNHCR said the first round of consultations with LGBTI organizations and advocates took place on Thursday in Geneva, and more consultations will take place in different parts of the world in the coming months.
The UN agency said that this is part of its efforts to echo the theme chosen for this year's International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, "Justice and Protection for All".
"UNHCR has been working hard to ensure that LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees are protected wherever they are, but we need to mobilize further," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
"It is vital that we create safe spaces for LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees so they don't feel compelled to conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity in an effort to protect themselves," said Grandi.
According to UN figures, over 70 countries around the world are still criminalizing same sex relationships, and many LGBTI people continue to experience severe human rights abuses and persecution in their home countries.
Forced to seek safety and protection abroad, they often face similar or even greater risks once arrived in neighboring countries, UNHCR said.
