The majority of the LGBT asylum seekers in Spain are Moroccans

The Spanish Refugees Aid Commission (CEAR) has published its 2017 data, indicating that Spain has accepted 595 asylum applications, almost twice the number of what was accepted in 2016 (355).

According to CEAR, Palestinians, Eritreans and Moroccans are the most to seek asylum in the country. From 595 requests, 55 were granted to Moroccans. «The vast majority was related to the sexual orientation of the applicants,» reports the news agency EFE.

Betty Lachgar from the Alternative Movement for Individual Liberties (MALI), explained that the choice of Moroccan LGBTs to turn to Spain «is due to the fact that iit is geographically close to Morocco and it is a gay friendly country».

These applications are accepted when «LGBTs may be discriminated against and physically, sexually and verbally abused by state authorities, their families or members of their community,» explains UNHCR's note (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).