Addressing Intersectional Persecution in an Asylum Procedure
Fatu (*fictional name) is a young woman from Gambia who was forced to marry a much older man; her family refused to accept that she is lesbian. She has two children from this marriage, which she ultimately left after surviving domestic violence. After separating from her husband, Fatu became an active member of an opposition political party, where she participated in and helped organise demonstrations.
Fatu fled after experiencing violence and escalating threats linked to her sexual orientation and political opinion. Same-sex relationships are criminalised in Gambia, and LGBTQ+ individuals are routinely subjected to harassment, physical attacks, and arbitrary detention, often with impunity. In Fatu’s case, the risks escalated dramatically due to her political involvement. She faced threats of life-long imprisonment or death under politically motivated charges. Eventually, her political activities and visibility caught the attention of the authorities; they put out a warrant for her arrest, which was shared in national newspapers.
The threats originated from state authorities, making any form of protection impossible. The police themselves were pursuing her, and there were no effective legal remedies or protection mechanisms available. Fatu spent almost two years in transit before reaching Greece. During her time in Turkey, she survived to sex trafficking, further compounding her trauma and vulnerability.
Fatu arrived in Greece by boat from Turkey and was accommodated in a camp near Athens. She faced serious mental health challenges as a result of cumulative trauma, including persecution, prolonged displacement, and sexual exploitation.
ELIL provided sustained and targeted legal support throughout Fatu’s asylum process. The legal team conducted three detailed preparations for her asylum interview. ELIL accompanied her to the asylum interview and intervened by asking questions to clarify key aspects of her claim.
Given her experience of sex trafficking, ELIL referred Fatu to the National Referral Mechanism for the Protection of Human Trafficking Victims (NRM), which gave her access to specialised support. There, she met other survivors of sex trafficking. Sharing her experience helped to reduce isolation and begin her recovery.
As a direct result of this comprehensive intervention, Fatu was granted refugee status. She has since applied for family reunification with her sister, a process that ELIL continues to support her with. ELIL’s intervention was essential in overcoming procedural barriers, addressing Fatu’s vulnerabilities, and securing international protection.
*Name and identifying details have been changed for protection reasons.