ࡱ> CED` bjbjss 4" . . . . . . . B fff8B }!"d&ll $#h&4"!. "!. . 7!---d. . --- . . X 0Ǖf]d$|DM!0}!,,5'5'X5'. X$-/l^"!"!d}!B B B $fB B B fB B B . . . . . .   Same Sex: Same Entitlements Submission To The Human Rights And Equal Opportunity Commissions, National Inquiry Into Discrimination Against People In Same-Sex Relationships: Financial And Work-Related Entitlements And Benefits June 2006 The Refugee Council of Australia is the peak non-governmental agency in Australia concerned with issues relating to refugees and asylum seekers and represents over 90 organisational members and a similar number of individual members. The Council works to promote humane, flexible and legally defensible policy towards refugees, asylum seekers and displaced peoples by the Australian Government and the Australian community. While we acknowledge that the following submission falls outside the terms of reference of this inquiry, we believe that it is important at this time to raise the following concerns in relation to discrimination against refugees in same sex relationships under the immigration system. The Refugee Council of Australia submits: That the current definition of family under the Humanitarian Visa stream does not recognise same sex partners. The Refugee Council believes that the definition should be revised to ensure consistency with the recent changes to the Skilled Visa stream and to ensure that refugees are eligible to sponsor same-sex partners under the split-family provision of the Special Humanitarian Program. This is particularly important as gay or lesbian refugees who remain in their country of first asylum may be more vulnerable to discrimination, abuse and persecution. The Refugee Council acknowledges that Australian law now accepts persecution on the basis of sexual orientation; however, there is a need to ensure that this is put into effect in a manner that is sensitive to the specific needs of this cohort and without discrimination. Refugees who have experienced persecution based on sexual orientation may face a range of barriers in the refugee determination process including: fear of disclosure; discrimination; and problems speaking openly in front of advisors from the same culture or in front of family members. We recommend that guidelines covering people in same-sex relationships are developed for both the Department of Immigration and the Refugee Review Tribunal in a similar vein to the existing gender guidelines. The need for the Department of Immigration to acknowledge the special needs of refugees in same-sex relationships in its resettlement program. Gay and lesbian refugees face particular discrimination and are increasingly vulnerable in the country of first asylum particularly in refugee camps. The Refugee Council would like to thank HREOC for the opportunity to contribute to this inquiry and contends that there is a need for further inquiry into the discrimination faced by gay and lesbian refugees within the immigration system. For further information contact: Paul Power Chief Executive Officer Refugee Council of Australia (02) 9660-5300  HYPERLINK "mailto:ceo@refugeecouncil.org.au" ceo@refugeecouncil.org.au     PAGE  PAGE 2 REFUGEE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED IN A.C.T. - ABN 87 956 673 083 37-47 ST JOHNS RD, GLEBE, NSW, 2037 PO BOX 946, GLEBE, NSW, 2037 TELEPHONE: (02) 9660 5300 ( FAX: (02) 9660 5211 e-mail: info@refugeecouncil.org.au ( http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au RCOA represents some 180 organisations and individuals working with and for refugees in Australia and around the world.  ݿxexWxOKOKOKOKhEjhEUhE0JCJOJQJaJ%jhECJOJQJUaJjhECJOJQJUaJhECJOJQJaJhEOJQJ^JaJmH sH hECJOJQJ^JhE5CJOJQJ^JaJhE5>*CJOJQJ^JhE5CJOJQJ^JaJhE5CJOJQJ^JhECJOJQJhE5CJOJQJ  =>./0Q\$ & Fa$$5$9Da$5$9D$a$$a$\t1_/$$d%d&d'd-DM NOPQa$&`#$$a$   01^_ķ|qjfZhECJOJQJaJhE hKw5CJhKw5CJOJQJ jhKwOJQJhKwOJQJ jhKwCJOJQJhKw5CJOJQJhKwCJOJQJ hKwCJhKw5CJH*OJQJhKw5CJ@OJQJ!hKw5@CJ@EHKH:OJQJhKw0JmHnHuhKw hKw0JjhKw0JU_`$a$$a$$a$ 2 00?&P . 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