Protection against violence based on SOGI in displacement

This submission is made in response to the call for input by the Independent Expert on on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Summary of recommendations:

1. Prioritise LGBTIQA+ refugees in resettlement and protection

• Establish LGBTIQA+ quotas for resettlement, allocating at least 3% to 6% of all humanitarian visas across offshore and onshore programs, community refugee sponsorship, and complementary pathways.
• Expedite pathways to safety and durable solutions for LGBTIQA+ displaced people in hostile host situations.
• Strengthen collaboration with UNHCR to improve identification and referral processes for LGBTIQA+ refugees, ensuring staff are trained to address their unique protection needs.

2. Empower LGBTIQA+ displaced people in solution-building

• Recognise the unique role of LGBTIQA+ refugee-led organisations and provide direct funding to support their initiatives.
• Ensure that LGBTIQA+ displaced people are meaningfully included in the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees and other international frameworks.
• Support community-led solutions by involving forcibly displaced LGBTIQA+ individuals in decision-making processes related to policy and service provision.

3. Strengthen international coordination and data-sharing

• Build stronger links between local LGBTIQA+ refugee-led organisations, LGBTIQA+ peer organisations, refugee-led groups, UNHCR, and national governments to enhance communication and protection pathways.
• Improve data-sharing between UN agencies, governments, and NGOs to increase the visibility of LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced people and address their needs with targeted interventions.

4. Improve LGBTIQA+ inclusion in migration and settlement services

• Train service providers, including legal, healthcare, and housing agencies, to ensure they offer culturally competent and LGBTIQA+-inclusive support.
• Ensure LGBTIQA+ displaced people are not subjected to humiliating and dangerous SOGIESC verification processes that may put them at risk.
• Embed intersectionality in policy approaches, recognising the compounded discrimination faced due to race, gender identity, and migration status.