Useful Contacts -Asylum

- Legal advice in the UK
- Human Rights Information on LGBT issues
- Other relevant organisations in the UK
- Seeking asylum in countries other than the UK

Legal Advice in the UK

UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (formerly Stonewall Immigration Group)
The UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration group is a voluntary organisation based in the UK, set up to campaign for immigration rights for same sex couples and LGBT asylum seekers. Their website contains very useful information on procedures and requirements for immigration to the UK for same-sex partners. The website also has a factsheet on asylum, explaining whether and how you can claim asylum in the UK.

A volunteer solicitor with the Stonewall Immigration Group usually gives free legal advice between 6 and 8 PM on Wednesdays. On Mondays and Fridays the general information line is usually open from 12 to 5 PM (+44 (0)20 7734 3705). They also hold a meeting on the third Saturday of each month (except August) at which you can get general advice and information as well as have an individual free consultation with a solicitor. These meetings are at University of London Union, Malet Street, London, WC1 at 2:00pm.

Their website also includes a list of solicitors in the UK that deal with asylum and/or immigration casework and that are most likely to be gay friendly.

UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group, c/o Gay.com, 22/23 Carnaby Street, London, W1F 7DB
E-mail: admin@uklgig.org.uk
Website:www.uklgig.org.uk

Wesley Gryk Solicitors
Wesley Gryk Solicitors is a law firm in London dealing exclusively with British immigration, asylum and nationality law. They are specialised in cases involving lesbians and gay men seeking asylum, as well as casework for those seeking to remain in the United Kingdom on the basis of long-term, committed relationships with British-based partners. They are also experienced in immigration and asylum casework for people affected by HIV/AIDS and women who are victims of domestic violence. Additionally, they also deal with all other categories of British immigration.

They do private client work as well as publicly funded (free) work for those who are eligible.

Wesley Gryk Solicitors, 140 Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7AE
Tel: 020 7401 6887
Fax: 020 7261 9985
Email: wesley@gryklaw.com
Website: http://www.gryklaw.com

Wilson & Co Solicitors
Wilson & Co Solicitors is a specialist immigration solicitors' firm dealing with general immigration and asylum work. They do a lot of work for lesbians and gay men, both asylum work and settlement on the basis of long-term relationships. They also have substantial experience in advising HIV/AIDS sufferers on their immigration status. They offer publicly funded (Legal Aid) and privately funded advice. The main contact is Matthew Davies.

697 High Rd, Tottenham, London, N17 8AD, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8808 7535
Fax: +44 (0)20 8880 3393
Email:immigration@wilsons-solicitors.org.uk
Website: http://www.wilsons-solicitors.org.uk

Refugee Legal Centre
The Refugee Legal Centre (RLC) provides legal advice and representation for people seeking asylum. They are not specifically specialised in LGBT cases, women's cases or HIV/AIDS cases, but they have experience with these cases and will normally take them on. RLC has offices in London, Leeds and Dover.

To make an appointment, call the advice line on 020 7780 3220 (between 9.30AM - 1.00PM every weekday (except Thursday). Please note this is a very busy line and it may be some time before your call is answered. Telephone advice for detained asylum seekers is available from 9.30AM until 1.00PM on weekdays (except Thursdays) on 0800 592398. In extreme emergencies outside office hours, you can call 07831 598057.

Refugee Legal Centre, 153-157 Commercial Road, London, E1 2DA
Tel: 020 7780 3200 (10.00AM - 4.00PM)
Fax: 020 7780 3201
Email: RLC@Refugee-Legal-Centre.org.uk (Advice is NOT given by email)
Website: http://www.refugee-legal-centre.org.uk

Asylum Aid
Provides free legal representation and advice to asylum seekers and refugees and is specialised in casework for vulnerable asylum seekers. They operate a telephone advice service on +44 (0)20 7377 5123 during the following times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 2.00 - 4.30 PM / Thursday, Friday: 10.00 AM - 12.30 PM. You can also ask for free advice by e-mail or letter.

Asylum Aid, 28 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LS
Email: advice@asylumaid.org.uk
Website: http://www.asylumaid.org.uk/pages/the_projects_purpose.html

Immigration Advisory Service
IAS is the largest charity in the UK giving a free legal advice and representation in both immigration and asylum cases to persons eligible for public funding. They have offices all over the UK including in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Leicester, Glasgow and other places (see their website). They are not specialised in LGBT cases, women's cases or HIV/AIDS cases but are normally able to take these on.

IAS Central London 2nd Floor, County House, 190 Great Dover Street London, SE1 4YBTel: 020 7967 1200 (very busy line)Fax: 020 7378 0665Website: http://www.iasuk.org

[For addresses and contact details of the other IAS offices: please see the IAS website

OISC
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is an independent public body responsible for ensuring that all immigration advisers in the UK fulfil the requirements of good practice. If you want to make a complaint about your legal adviser or representative, you can contact the OISC.

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8JX

Tel: 020 7211 1500 Helpline: 0845 000 0046
Fax: 020 7211 1553
Website: http://www.oisc.gov.uk

Smith Stone Walters Ltd
Smith Stone Walters Ltd is the premier partner of choice in providing advice and guidance on matters relating to living and working in the United Kingdom . Our membership with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) permits us to lodge Highly Skilled Migrant Programme ( HSMP ) applications, work permit and visa petitions and advise clients in all aspects of permit law and British immigration law.

Smith Stone Walters Ltd, 1a Palace View, Bromley, Kent BR1 3EJ
TEL: +44 (20) 8461 6660
FAX: +44 (20) 8461 6661
E-Mail: info@smithstonewalters.com
Website: http://www.smithstonewalters.com/

Human Rights Information on LGBT issues

Amnesty International - Thematic reports on sexual orientation
The online library of AI includes the theme ‘sexual orientation’, searching under this theme provides a list of country reports researched and produced by AI in chronological order.
Website: http://web.amnesty.org/library/engindex

Amnesty International - LGBT Network
AI also has a specific LGBT Network. Their website includes: action alerts for specific countries, links to AI contact persons working on LGBT issues in several countries and useful links to other organisations. It is available in English, Spanish and French.
Website: http://www.ai-lgbt.org

Behind the Mask
This is a website magazine based in Southern Africa. The ‘Africa by Country’ section contains news articles, action alerts and reports on LGBT issues in African countries.
Website: http://www.mask.org.za

Datalounge
A USA based website with LGBT relevant news articles from all over the world. Click on News by Region for a list of countries.
Website: http://www.datalounge.com/datalounge

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
HRW is an international human rights organisation based in the USA. Their website includes specific HRW reports on LGBT issues: click on the heading ‘Lesbian and Gay rights’ in the section ‘Global Issues’.
Website: http://www.hrw.org

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) - Asylum Documentation Programme
IGLHRC is a USA based international organisation campaigning on LGBT human rights issues worldwide. The Asylum Documentation Programme gathers documentation on human right abuses to sexual minorities and those with HIV/AIDS. The country information packs - consisting largely of materials obtained from the Internet – can be bought via their website. In addition, the IGLHRC website contains a section on ‘regional information’ with mostly IGLHR publications and ‘action alerts’ by country.
Website: http://www.iglhrc.org

International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) - World Legal Survey
ILGA is an international organisation working on LGBT rights issues. Their website contains a World Legal Survey of LGBT rights by country. Depending on the country, the information can be limited and somewhat out of date.
Website: http://www.ilga.org

Refugee Women's Resource Project (RWRP) - Asylum Aid
The RWRP is an organisation in the UK set up for female refugees and asylum seekers, providing free legal representation and advice. Their website contains useful gender-specific resources such as the Women’s Asylum Newsletter, including some news items on LGBT issues. The website also includes RWRP publications, such as country studies on refugee women and domestic violence.
Website: http://www.asylumaid.org.uk/New%20RWRP/RWRP_About_RWRP.htm

Safra Project - Country Information Reports
These reports provide information on the treatment of LGBT people in Muslim countries and are specifically for the use in asylum cases. The reports are largely based on secondary sources. Their main purpose is to provide an overview of existing resources on human rights and country information dealing with LGBT issues, and to signpost asylum caseworkers and solicitors to these. Where possible and appropriate the reports include comparisons of sources and critiques on conclusions or assumptions made in existing resources.
Link: Country Information Report on Iran

Other relevant organisations in the UK

Information Centre on Asylum and Refugees (ICAR)
An independent information centre promoting the understanding of asylum and refugees in the UK. The website includes information on research, articles and statistics. The section on resources, navigation guides, key issues, includes a navigation guide on LGBT refugees written by Anisa de Jong, the asylum co-ordinator of the Safra Project, and a navigation guide on refugee women by Hildegard Dumper.

Website: www.icar.org.uk

Femigration
Femmigration is a project that informs about the legal and social situation for migrant sex workers and women that were victims of trafficking in women. It is addressed to NGOs, GOs and private persons. It includes issues:
-Migration
-Labour law
-Rights of trafficked women
-Social security and health insurance

Website: www.femmigration.net
Email: info@femmigration.net

Refugee Action
Refugee Action is an independent national charity that enables refugees to build new lives in the UK. They provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers. They also have a refugee women program assisting statutory agencies to develop appropriate services for women.

Head Office: The Old Fire Station, 150 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8SB
(For offices in other places, please see their website)
Website: http://www.refugee-action.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7654 7700
Fax: +44 (0)20 7401 3699

Refugee Women’s Association (RWA)
RWA is an organisation based and working in London, aiming to empower refugee women through advice, guidance, information and lobbying.

Website: http://www.refugeewomen.org/rwa.htm

Seeking asylum in countries other than the UK

Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force (LGIRTF - USA)
National USA based organisation with many local chapters. The LGIRTF is a coalition of immigrants, attorneys and other activists who address the impact of discriminatory immigration laws on LGBT people and those living with HIV/AIDS. It works through education, outreach, advocacy and the maintenance of a nationwide resource network. LGIRTF offers free legal clinics and support group meetings, publishes an informative newsletter and has an informative website.

Website: www.lgirtf.org

Asylum Research (USA)
National USA based organisation, monitoring and documenting issues relating to lesbian & gay refugees and the problems they face seeking political asylum in the USA. Aims to connect refugees with legal assistance, information, support, outreach and referrals. They are not a legal organisation but have experienced the process of seeking asylum themselves and offer pre-legal assistance. Their website includes information about finding lawyers in the USA.

Website: http://www.asylumresearch.org

ARDHIS (France)
National France based organisation, undertaking social, cultural, educational and political activities with the aim to improve the human rights of LGBT people iin the area of immigration and residency.
ARDHIS, C/O Centre Gai et Lesbien, 3 Rue Keller, 75011, Paris, France

Email: ardhis@writeme.com
Website: http://www.ardhis.org

Other European Countries
For a list of general refugee organisations (not specifically for LGBT people) in European countries, see the listing on the website of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles:

Weblink: http://www.ecre.org/