Bisexual Woman Granted Asylum in New Zealand After Escaping Threats in Sri Lanka

 

A bisexual woman from Sri Lanka, named J.F., has been granted asylum in New Zealand. She had to leave Sri Lanka because she was in danger from her ex-girlfriend, a soldier, who had made serious threats against her family. J.F. was also at risk of being forced into another marriage because of her sexuality.

J.F. had been secretly in a relationship with her ex-girlfriend, A.A., since they were teenagers. In 2017, J.F.'s mother found out about their relationship and, because same-sex relationships are illegal in Sri Lanka, J.F.'s parents forced her into an arranged marriage with a man. Even though J.F. tried to break up with A.A., her ex-girlfriend did not accept it. In 2021, A.A. came to J.F.'s family home with three army officers, pointed a gun at J.F.'s mother, and threatened to kill her and their family dog when J.F. was not there.

Fearing for her life, J.F. moved to New Zealand in 2018 to escape the situation and study. After her first request for asylum was denied, she appealed to New Zealand's Immigration and Protection Tribunal. In the appeal, J.F. told her story, which was backed up by her mother's testimony and medical evidence showing that J.F. had serious anxiety and depression from the trauma.

The tribunal decided that J.F.'s story was believable and that she would be in real danger if she was sent back to Sri Lanka. They ruled that she could not be forced to live in fear of violence or a forced marriage. Based on these findings, the tribunal granted J.F. asylum, allowing her to stay in New Zealand for her safety.

In New Zealand, asylum is granted when a person is in danger in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, such as the LGBTQ+ community. If someone can prove they are at risk of harm, like J.F. did, they can apply for refugee status. If granted, this allows them to live and work in New Zealand safely.