Bisexual man refused asylum faces ‘death sentence’

Campaigners who have fought for two years to help a bi-sexual man stay in Leeds have called a court’s decision to send him back to Jamaica a “death sentence”.

Orashia Edwards is seeking asylum on the grounds that if he returns to Jamaica, he will be killed because of his sexuality.

His application was first refused by the Home Secretary Theresa May in December 2013 and a previous appeal was rejected last summer. The judge said that he backed the original court’s view that Mr Edwards was not bisexual.

Today a court in London refused his second appeal. Campaign group Leeds No Borders say they will fight against the decision.

Edwards told Radio Aire after the hearing: “We are going to try and appeal as far as I’m concerned because this is my life. I’m genuinely terrified, I can’t go back.

“I couldn’t have a normal life there, I just don’t want to live that way. This is my home, where I am and where my friends and family are.”

The expert witness report submitted to the court stated that his life would be at risk if were deported back to his home country.

Last month, a video emerged on social media that appeared to show a gay man being stoned to death in Jamaica, where homosexuality is illegal.

Human rights organisations have reported attacks, harassment and threats against gay people, which often pass uninvestigated.

Emily Jennings, a supporter of the Defend Orashia campaign said: “We are extremely disappointed and worried how we are going to keep fighting with all the legal fees.

“We are up against a system that just does not seem to believe that Orashia is gay.”