“What is the proper construction of regulations 52(G) or 51(G) of the Refugee or Persons inNeed of International Protection (Qualification) Regulations 2006 SI2006/2525? In particular, what constitutes an ‘act of persecution’ in circumstances where it is asserted that there are legal provisions in a country which are discriminatory so far as sexual behaviour is concerned but where these provisions may not be fully implemented in practice.”
“5. (1) In deciding whether a person is a refugee an act of persecution must be: (a) sufficiently serious by its nature or repetition as to constitute a severe violation of a basic human right, in particular a right from which derogation cannot be made underArticle 15 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; or (b) an accumulation of various measures, including a violation of a human right which is sufficiently severe as to affect an individual in a similar manner as specified in (a). (2) An act of persecution may, for example, take the form of: (a) an act of physical or mental violence, including an act of sexual violence; (b) a legal, administrative, police, or judicial measure which in itself is discriminatory or which is implemented in a discriminatory manner;”
“Persecution must at least be persistent and serious ill-treatment without just cause…”
“as to affect an individual in a similar manner as mentioned in (a)”
“The purpose of the conference was to provoke debate and that seemingly was the result, positive or negative from the standpoint of those holding the conference. Notwithstanding the strong comments made in the press or the media, there was no indication that those who took part were arrested and no indication of any wider mob violence or repercussions against gay and lesbians in general. Once again, given the presence in Uganda of so many gay rights organisations as well as the usual Human Rights Watch and other NGO and other human rights organisations, it is surprising that no information has come to light in relation to overt violence, arrests, harassment or intimidation, arising from this conference or generally.”
“68. We have considered the appellant’s claim to have established a private life, in the sense which Mr Chelvan argues, during the period he has been in the United Kingdom from 2004. He has not established any permanent sexual relationship with a male partner such relationships as he has had being brief and sporadic. Applying the five stage test set out in Razgar[2004] UKHL 27 we can conclude that the appellant has established a private life although not with any particular individual. To return him to the Sudan will bring such private life to an end in circumstances which, we are satisfied, will be of such gravity as to potentially engage the operation of Article 8. That is because of the societal attitude in the Sudan to homosexuality in general. But the issue for us to consider, on the basis that that the respondent’s reaction is legitimate, is whether or not the interference with the appellant’s family life is proportionate to the legitimate public end sought to be achieved. We consider proportionality below. 69. In relation to this issue we bear in mind the decision of the House of Lords in Huang. We are not satisfied that to return the appellant prejudices his private life in a manner sufficiently serious to amount to a breach of Article 8. Although it will, undoubtedly, be more difficult for the appellant to continue with homosexual relationships in Sudan, we are not satisfied that he will be unable to do so. Further, we conclude that the manner in which he will do so will not draw the attention of the authorities either directly or through others because the appellant will behave with a degree of discretion. As we have already indicated it will not be a lifestyle he cannot reasonably be expected to tolerate. And we have already eliminated the argument that there might be a serious risk of prosecution and serious harm.”
“(1) Will the proposed removal be an interference by a public authority with the exercise of the applicant's right to respect for his private life or (as the case may be) family life? (2) If so, will such interference have consequences of such gravity as potentially to engage the operation of article 8? (3) If so, is such interference in accordance with the law? (4) If so, is such interference necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others? (5) If so, is such interference proportionate to the legitimate public end sought to be achieved?”