We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the Home Office to reconsider its decision to refuse asylum to Mr. Monsur Ahmed Chowdhury on the grounds of his sexual orientation.

This petition represents a matter of profound urgency and moral imperative. Mr. Chowdhury, currently serving as Joint Secretary of Worcester LGBT (Asylum, Support, Networks), faces potential persecution, imprisonment, or worse if returned to Bangladesh, where homosexuality remains criminalised under Section 377 of the Penal Code. The Home Office's determination that Mr. Chowdhury is "not truly gay" stands in stark contradiction to substantial and compelling evidence of his authentic sexual orientation.

Mr. Chowdhury's appointment as Joint Secretary was formally recognised on 1st January 2025 when the Worcester LGBT constitution was adopted. This position represents significant responsibility and trust within an organisation dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. It is inconceivable that such a position would be conferred upon an individual whose sexual identity was in any way questionable. Mr. Chowdhury's progression from member to Joint Secretary reflects not only his personal commitment but also the recognition by the LGBTQ+ community of his genuine identity and valuable contribution.

The witness statement provided by Mazedul Hasan Shakil, Founder and Chairman of Worcester LGBT, attests comprehensively to Mr. Chowdhury's integration into the LGBTQ+ community since December 2023. Mr. Shakil's expertise in LGBTQ+ asylum cases has been previously recognised by the Home Office (Reference: TO/1089470/24) and by the First-tier Tribunal, which acknowledged him as "a prominent member of the gay community" whose evidence was "particularly credible" and who "would not be prepared to jeopardise [his] position by supporting a non-genuine claim."

Mr. Chowdhury's demonstrated commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is substantial and well-documented. Between November 2024 and February 2025, he organised six major community events at established LGBTQ+ venues including The Divine, Missing Bar, and Desi Boyz London. He co-hosted the Worcester LGBT Christmas event on 19 November 2024, where he demonstrated natural comfort in an LGBTQ+ space. As Social Media Officer for the organisation, his online advocacy clearly reflects his gay identity through content he creates and shares.

The refusal of Mr. Chowdhury's asylum application contravenes several legal frameworks, including the Refugee Convention 1951, particularly Article 1A(2) concerning persecution based on membership of a particular social group; the Immigration Rules, specifically paragraphs 327-339IA relating to asylum claims; established precedent in HJ (Iran) and HT (Cameroon) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] UKSC 31, which established that asylum seekers should not be expected to conceal their sexual orientation to avoid persecution; Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights as incorporated into UK law through the Human Rights Act 1998; and the Equality Act 2010, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The ILGA's State-Sponsored Homophobia Report (2024) confirms Bangladesh as one of 69 countries that continue to criminalise consensual same-sex relationships, creating conditions of systemic persecution. Mr. Chowdhury has consistently expressed the emotional toll of living in hiding in Bangladesh and the relief he felt being able to live openly in the UK. His accounts have been consistent and contain specific details that demonstrate genuine lived experience.

Mr. Chowdhury's willingness to take on a public-facing role as Joint Secretary, despite the potential risks this poses if he were to be returned to Bangladesh, further demonstrates the authenticity of his sexual orientation. His behaviour, interactions, and engagement with the LGBTQ+ community demonstrate a natural integration that would be extremely difficult to fabricate.

The decision to refuse Mr. Chowdhury asylum represents a grave miscarriage of justice that places him at risk of persecution, imprisonment, or worse if returned to Bangladesh. The UK has a proud tradition of offering protection to those fleeing persecution. We implore the Home Office to honour this tradition by reconsidering Mr. Chowdhury's case and granting him the protection to which he is legally entitled under both domestic and international law. The Home Office's own correspondence of 27 March 2025 (DECS Reference: TRO/1297004/25) acknowledges its commitment "to delivering an asylum system that is sensitive and responsive to all forms of persecution including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity." We urge the Home Office to honour this commitment in Mr. Chowdhury's case.

In refusing Mr. Chowdhury's application for asylum, the Home Office disregards its own guidance on assessing claims based on sexual orientation. The evidence provided by Worcester LGBT, a recognised organisation with expertise in LGBTQ+ asylum support (as acknowledged by the Home Office in correspondence dated 6 February 2024, Reference: TO/1089470/24), meets the standard of proof required for asylum claims.

We respect the complex task facing Home Office decision-makers in assessing asylum claims. However, in this instance, we submit that a grave error of judgment has occurred that may result in a person facing persecution being returned to danger. The witness statement provided by Mr. Shakil, who was recognised by the First-tier Tribunal in case PA/13326/2018 as "a prominent member of the gay community" whose evidence carries particular credibility, should be given appropriate weight in reconsidering this decision.

The emotional and psychological impact of this decision on Mr. Chowdhury has been profound. Having found a community where he can live authentically for the first time, he now faces the prospect of being forcibly returned to a country where he must either conceal his sexual orientation—contrary to the principle established in HJ (Iran)—or face persecution. This violates the fundamental principles of refugee protection that the UK has long championed.

The Home Office has an opportunity to demonstrate its genuine commitment to protecting those fleeing persecution based on sexual orientation. We urge you to review this case with the thoroughness, sensitivity and fairness that it deserves. Mr. Chowdhury's life and liberty depend on your decision.

By signing this petition, we affirm our belief in Mr. Chowdhury's genuine sexual orientation and our commitment to ensuring the UK remains a place of safety for those fleeing persecution. We urge the Home Office to act in accordance with its legal obligations and stated values by granting Mr. Chowdhury the protection he so desperately needs and legally deserves.

Respectfully submitted,