Fenixaid, ‘It’s like being a shadow of yourself’, 2023
- Category: Reports
- Source: NGOs
- Subject: Sexual Orientation/Sexuality, Gender Identity, Intersex, Refugee/Asylum
- Place: Europe, Other
- Year: 2023
- File: “It’s like being a shadow of yourself”_ Closed Camps and Compelled Concealment
- URL: https://reliefweb.int/report/greece/its-being-shadow-yourself-closed-camps-and-compelled-concealment
Fenixaid, ‘”It’s like being a shadow of yourself”: Closed Camps and Compelled Concealment’, 18 April 2023
Abstract
Following the Moria fires in September 2020, the temporary reception and identification centre on Lesvos, known as Mavrovouni camp, was established as a short-term solution. Since then, and for the majority of 2022, the residents faced enhanced controls and stringent measures, including a limitation on movement outside permitted hours and a prohibition of certain activities.[1]
On account of the containment measures and restrictive controls, people seeking asylum on the grounds of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and/or sex characteristics (SOGIESC) are faced with additional and unique difficulties whilst housed there.
Many SOGIESC asylum seekers have fled from countries where same-sex sexual activity or diverse gender identity are criminalised, either expressly or implicitly under widely-interpreted provisions.[2]The criminalisation and persecution, in combination with societal stigma, has often compelled them to hide or be discreet about their orientation and/or identity, potentially for many years.[3]
Once applicants have arrived toLesvos, the people who have already fled their countries due to threats to their safety are likely to feel compelled to have to (re-)conceal.Without the appropriate accommodation, services and protections in place, and on account of the containment policy decisions in the closed camp, the applicant is placed at a greater risk of being outed, along with the threat that accompanies it. In order to lessen the heightened risks, [4] SOGIESC asylum seekers feel the need to conceal their orientation or identity in the camp:[5]
“You just have to hide your real self, it’s like being a shadow of yourself.”
“It’s very hard, you want to be free, you don’t want your mind to be in a prison.”
“Hiding in my country and hiding here, it’s no difference, it’s the same.”
“It’s like you’ve run from the devil then you come to the devil himself.”