Nepalese man fears for his life after being outed in UK court
A gay man from Nepal fears he may be at risk of murder if he returns to his home country, after his sexuality was disclosed during a court hearing.
The unnamed man, who was granted an anonymity order to protect his identity while applying to stay in the UK, says he has effectively been outed as the hearing was held at the same time as other Nepalese people.
“My life will be at risk if I get sent back, my family might kill me,” he told Gay Star News.
“They expect me to be a man by getting married and giving them grandchildren. They are homophobic and use gay slurs a lot.”
While Nepal has made steps towards LGBT equality by passing protections against discrimination into law in 2015, conservative attitudes still linger within society.
The previous policy was “not to encourage homosexual behaviour but not punish homosexuals either.”
The man, who is married in UK, fled his home country to escape persecution, but has now spent several years fighting for the right to remain.
His partner now claims the process has needlessly “put his life at risk” through “carelessness”.
He added the man was now struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as being forced into unemployment by the visa process.
As well as applying to stay in the UK, the man is also trying to help support his husband’s ill mother, but claims the stress of the case is making him ill too.
“For two and a half years we’ve barely slept due to the stress and fears of the process,” his husband added.
“It feels like we have no future, it’s been a grueling process. We’ve been doing everything right and following the process.
“It’s a horror what the UK has allowed to happen to us. We live in fear for our future.”
A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunals said in a statement that parties may apply for anonymity in immigration and asylum cases.
“If granted, names do not appear online or displayed at the tribunal venue.
“It is then for the judge to decide on the conduct of a hearing and who can attend.”
