Audio from a discussion pre and post screening of Last Chance, a documentary that tells the stories of five rainbow asylum seekers who flee their native countries to escape homophobic violence and intimidation and seek safety in Canada.
Speakers include Christian Desroches (High Commission of Canada), Marianne Elliot (Amnesty International) and Medulla Oblongata (a.k.a Abraham Naim) who talks about being a convention refugee in New Zealand.
Special thanks to Amnesty International, the High Commission of Canada and Nga Taonga Sound and Vision for allowing us to record this discussion. This recording has been lightly edited.
Summary
This summary details a recorded discussion held at Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, on October 7th, 2014. The discussion focused on the screening of "Last Chance," a National Film Board of Canada documentary. The film tells the harrowing tales of five individuals who leave their homelands due to homophobic violence and seek asylum in Canada. The conversation featured Abraham Naim, Christian Desroches, and Marianne Elliot, who discussed human rights issues concerning refugees and the LGBT community.
Christian Desroches, working at the High Commission of Canada, opened the event acknowledging the collaborative effort that made the screening possible and quickly touched upon the film's content and nature. The film was highlighted not only for telling the struggle of LGBT asylum seekers in Canada but also for its critical view of Canadian refugee policies despite the National Film Board's governmental ties.
During the discussion, alarming statistics were presented regarding global situations where homosexuality is criminalized, emphasizing the importance of international efforts to combat homophobia and support those at risk. A proud note was made about Canada housing a significant percentage of resettled refugees globally.
Abraham Naim shared a deeply personal narrative as a convention refugee from the Maldives, shedding light on the challenges faced in the process of seeking asylum and the stark reality of potential statelessness due to expiring documentation. Naim showcased the importance of community support and emphasized the desire to achieve asylum through one's merit.
Marianne Elliot from Amnesty International stressed the significant role of civil societies in ensuring governments remain open and welcoming to refugees. Elliot highlighted the complexity of the refugee journey, which extends far beyond the initial status recognition, and the need for support networks for these individuals as they strive to rebuild their lives in a new country.
Throughout the session, the issues of misinformation and the dire need for accessible resources and processes for those looking to seek asylum based on sexual orientation was discussed. The importance of accurate, upfront information about asylum procedures was underscored as a missing piece in aiding those who genuinely needed it.
Concerns were raised regarding the bureaucratic frameworks that often impede the asylum process and result in life-threatening situations upon the deportment of those rejected due to subjective judgments about sexual orientation. Issues of prejudice within the system were brought up, showcasing the pitfalls of a system wherein political patronage previously influenced the appointment of officials making life-changing decisions for asylum seekers.
An urgent call to action accompanied the event, with a petition for a Gambian homophobic bill being circulated. Elliot highlighted the global need for change, the necessity for solidarity, and the conviction that safe existence should be a reality across all nations. The fight for everyone to live authentically and safely, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity, was echoed as the ultimate goal and against which, current refugee policies are but a stop-gap.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
Tags
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