Netherlands Uncovers Network Helping Ugandan Asylum Seekers Fake Being Gay

The Dutch government has said it will reassess the cases of dozens of Ugandans granted asylum after it uncovered a criminal network that helped would-be refugees from the country fake their sexual orientation.

The Netherlands started accepting asylum claims from LGBT+ Ugandans in 2014, when the African country briefly introduced the death penalty for gay sex before dropping it under international pressure.

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This week the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) said it had uncovered an organised network that was providing Ugandan asylum seekers with documents and training to pretend to be LGBT+ for about 2,500 euros ($3,000).

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“These findings have led to a more critical assessment of visa applications stemming from Uganda,” the IND said in its report.

LGBT+ activists warned that could mean genuine refugees being refused asylum and urged the government to exercise caution given the threats faced by LGBT+ people in Uganda.

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