Gay Syrian waits for asylum appeal verdict

Published on Saturday 10 May 2008 20:05

A GAY asylum seeker who faces torture and death if he is deported to Syria, where homosexuality is illegal, is waiting to hear if this week's appeal for leave to stay in Scotland will be granted.

Jojo Jako Yakob, 19, fled Syria two years ago after being arrested, shot and beaten before being tortured in jail when he was caught distributing anti-government leaflets.

Once prison guards discovered that he was not only a Christian member of the repressed Kurdish minority in the Arab state but was also a homosexual, he was beaten so badly that he slipped into a coma.

Yet after fleeing to Scotland two years ago, his application seeking asylum was initially rejected and the Home Office ordered his return to Syria. His supporters were at an Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in Glasgow on Tuesday to hear the appeal, which they believe will save him from deportation.

The campaign was led by QC Mungo Bovey, who received support from Rob McDowall of charity Equal Rights Now.

"Jojo gave evidence and he was very upset," said McDowall. "It was really emotional hearing him tell his story. The Home Office really pushed him and tried to con him into changing his story. He was put on the defensive all the time, but he did very well and stayed strong."

Dr Rebwah Fatah, a Middle East expert, also gave evidence at the hearing and referred to a report concerning gay and human rights in Syria. He explained to the hearing that homosexuality is a "taboo" in the Middle East, which has a deep Islamic culture.

"Gay people in Syria face punishment by law, by the family and by the society," said Fatah. "Mistreatment of Mr Yakob is plausible if he were returned to Syria.

If he comes to the attention of the Syrian authorities, he would be exposed to real risk of arrest and imprisonment without due process."

After Tuesday's hearing, McDowall said: "I am very confident of a positive outcome. I certainly can't see how the judge could give any other verdict than to allow Jojo to remain here."