The Afghanistan LGBTIQ+ Organization (ALO), in collaboration with Minorities, is proud to release a groundbreaking report — “Unheard, Unseen, Unsafe: LGBTIQ+ Forcibly Displaced Persons in the Czech Republic.”
👉 Click here to download the full report (PDF)
About the Report
This report is the first comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of the experiences of LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and refugees in the Czech Republic. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 25 forcibly displaced individuals from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and others, the study documents the everyday realities, struggles, and resilience of LGBTIQ+ people navigating the Czech asylum system and integration process.
The findings expose systemic barriers that prevent LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers from accessing safety, dignity, and equality, including discrimination during asylum interviews, unsafe conditions in residential centers, limited access to inclusive healthcare, and deep social isolation. Despite these challenges, the report highlights the strength and courage of community members who continue to build their lives in exile while advocating for their rights.
Key Findings
- Unsafe asylum conditions: Many respondents reported harassment in asylum centers and a lack of sensitivity among interpreters and officers regarding gender and sexual diversity.
- Barriers to housing and work: High rent costs, discrimination by landlords, and employment barriers leave many in precarious living conditions.
- Inadequate healthcare access: Few inclusive mental health or gender-affirming care services are available, and many refugees face stigma in healthcare settings.
- Social isolation: Many LGBTIQ+ refugees feel excluded not only from the broader Czech society but also from local LGBTIQ+ spaces, facing loneliness and lack of support.
Recommendations
The report outlines practical steps for creating safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in Czechia, including:
- Training asylum officers and interpreters in LGBTIQ+ sensitivity.
- Providing safe and dignified housing options for transgender and vulnerable individuals.
- Expanding inclusive healthcare and mental health services.
- Building stronger connections between local LGBTIQ+ organizations and refugee communities.
Why This Matters
While Czechia has taken steps to welcome people fleeing war and persecution, LGBTIQ+ refugees remain among the most invisible and underserved groups. This research calls on government institutions, NGOs, and the public to ensure that everyone seeking safety regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, can live free from fear and discrimination.