A gay asylum seeker who fled Gaza was severely assaulted with a bicycle chain by three other men outside the main entrance of the Ter Apel asylum reception center (azc) last Thursday evening. According to the victim and an advocacy group, this is the third serious violent incident against an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker in a short period where on-site security failed to intervene.
The man, who is part of a gay couple, was attacked by three men reportedly from Algeria. The assault has been compounded by what the organization LGBT Asylum Support describes as a complete failure of care and duty by the authorities responsible for his safety and well-being.
Security Allegedly Stood By
Perhaps most alarmingly, the victim reported that security personnel witnessed the attack but did nothing to stop it. "What shocked me even more is that I felt the security was watching from a distance, but no one intervened," he stated.
The situation escalated later that night when the victim encountered one of his attackers back inside the Ter Apel facility. Despite an immediate report to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) by LGBT Asylum Support, it took the agency two full days—and repeated escalations from the support group—to make contact with the victim.
"Institutional Culpability"
The response from official bodies following the assault has drawn sharp criticism. LGBT Asylum Support alleges a pattern of negligence that "borders on active obstruction of justice."
According to the group, a COA staff member failed to inform the victim that he could file a police report for the assault. Furthermore, the Healthcare for Asylum Seekers (GZA) service allegedly refused to provide a medical examination for his injuries. Forcing the victim to remain in the same location as his attackers while denying him access to medical care and legal recourse represents, in the group's view, a "total breach of the legal duty of reception and care" for vulnerable LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.
The safety of queer individuals in Dutch asylum centers, particularly in the often-overcrowded Ter Apel facility, has been a persistent concern for rights groups. This latest incident highlights systemic failures that leave vulnerable people exposed to violence without adequate protection or support.
In response to the incident and the subsequent inaction, LGBT Asylum Support has contacted the local community police officer and reported the matter to the mayor of Westerwolde. The organization now plans to send an emergency letter to the responsible government minister and the Dutch Parliament to demand accountability.
