Recap | February 2024
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The Administrative Court ordered to grant refugee status and asylum to Salman Mukayev
The RA Administrative Court has issued an unprecedented decision. Thanks to the persistent efforts of SK-SOS and legal support of the Pink NGO on 29.01.2023, the Administrative Court of the Republic of Armenia satisfied the claim of Salman Mukayev, a citizen of the Russian Federation, who has Chechen nationality, against the Migration Service, which refused to grant the person asylum. According to the court’s judgement, the Migration Service is obliged to recognize Salman Mukaev as a refugee and grant him asylum, on the grounds that he will be persecuted because of his sexual orientation if he returns to Chechnya.
We remind that Salman Mukaev applied for asylum in Armenia as a refugee, arguing that he had been tortured and persecuted by law enforcement agencies in Chechnya, through the initiation of a fictitious criminal case. Back in 2022, the Migration Service announced in its decision that Salman Mukaev can settle in another territory of the Russian Federation and avoid persecution, and that the Russian law enforcement agencies can ensure a fair investigation of the criminal case against Mukaev. At the same time, the Migration Service considered credible the facts presented by Mukaev regarding what happened to him and the situation of LGBT people in Chechnya.
The Migration Service is obliged to grant refugee status to an Iranian citizen on the ground of sexual orientation
The Administrative Court of the Republic of Armenia again made a judgement against the Migration and Citizenship Service, obliging the latter to grant refugee status and asylum to an Iranian citizen based on his sexual orientation, on February 07. Referring to the international obligations undertaken by Armenia, as well as to the RA legislation on refugees and asylum, the court in its ruling reaffirmed Armenia’s obligation to properly study the objective situation and dangers prevailing in the country of the person’s citizenship and the subjective fears related to the possible threats towards their life or health, which make impossible the return of the person to his country of origin. Thus, the court, considering the plaintiff’s information about his sexual orientation to be credible, meticulously quoted the data published by reputable international organizations regarding the possibility of ill-treatment, imprisonment, persecution, and even the possibility of the death penalty towards LGBT+ people in Iran. The court concluded that in this case, Iran is the direct subject of persecution against LGBT+ people.
Training for students specializing in mental health
Pink Human Rights Defender NGO organized a three-day training for students specializing in mental health. The aim of the training was to increase the awareness and sensitivity of future professionals on topics related to sexuality.
During the sessions, the participants explored issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and the unique mental health issues faced by LGBT+ people. The comprehensive approach was aimed at equipping future mental health professionals with various tools and knowledge related to sexuality.
