No to refugee sexuality tests

LUXEMBOURG: The EU’s top court has ruled that psychological tests to determine sexuality are illegal for aslyum seekers fleeing countries where homosexuality is illegal.

The ruling involved a Nigerian man subjected to tests by Hungarian authorities, which the court said had interfered unduly in his private life.

“An asylum seeker may not be subjected to a psychological test in order to determine his sexuality,” the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice said.

“The performance of such a test amounts to a disproportionate interference in the private life of the asylum seeker.”

The asylum seeker had applied to Hungarian authorities for asylum in April 2015 saying he feared persecution because of his homosexuality.

Homosexuality is illegal in religiously conservative Nigeria and further laws against gay marriage and same-sex unions were passed in 2014.

Hungarian authorities rejected his application after a psychologist’s expert report they had commissioned did not confirm his alleged sexual orientation, the court said.

The refugee took the issue to the Hungarian courts, saying the tests “seriously prejudiced his fundamental rights” and could not assess his sexuality in any case.

The EU court ruled that states can order expert reports to help determine their need for protection but that they must respect European rights laws.

It found the impact of the tests was “disproportionate” because “it is intended to give an insight into the most intimate aspects of the asylum seeker’s life”.