LGBT Refugees in South Africa Report Threats of Deportation Amid Rising Xenophobia

Against the backdrop of escalating public debates on migration in South Africa, LGBT refugees report facing increasing hostility and threats.

As reported by MambaOnline, asylum seekers find themselves in a vulnerable position due to the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment. LGBT activists note that despite South Africa’s progressive legislation—the Constitution and the 1998 Refugees Act, which protect human rights and prohibit returning individuals to countries where they face persecution—the gap between the law and reality is widening.

Among the challenges, refugees highlight bureaucratic delays that can drag the documentation process out for years, leaving many without official status. According to community representatives, returning to home countries like Uganda or Ghana means facing the risk of imprisonment and violence due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Activists are calling for improvements in the asylum system and the fight against misinformation, emphasizing that the safety of refugees is a fundamental human rights issue.