[Event Announcement] Queer Asylum + Global Solidarity: Talk & Panel Exhibition

Japan is notorious for its limited rate of refugee recognition, with only 2% of applicants being granted asylum last year (and that being a significant increase on previous years). Amongst all of the cases to date there have only been 6 known cases of LGBTQIA+ refugees being granted status on the grounds of their gender and sexuality.

Across the globe, we are witnessing coordinated attacks on migrants, refugees, undocumented people, and trans communities. From the Trump administration's assault on human rights, to the UK Labour government's anti-immigrant stance, prevalent racist riots, ongoing human rights abuses through indefinite migration detention, and the  Supreme Court’s recent blow to trans rights, the picture is bleak. In Japan, the recent announcement by the Japanese Ministry of Justice of a "zero plan" to eradicate undocumented people, has left many queer refugees in an anxious situation. 

 As Pride Month and World Refugee Day converge, we wish to come together and examine these webs of oppression critically to reflect about how we can support each other in solidarity both locally and internationally. 

 Please join us in a conversation at NamNam (NAMNAM Space Queer Community Center, Koenjikita, 3 Chome−8−12 4F, Tokyo) with Ariana Aiko, a queer refugee currently fighting the Japanese immigration authorities for recognition of her asylum claim, Dr Diego Garcia, a  researcher based at ICU, and a member of No Detention Yes Life, a group supporting refugees and undocumented people in Japan.

 The talk will be held in English and Japanese (maybe some Tagalog too) with simple interpretation. It is also planned to use UDtalk.