Members of the ‘Keep Babi Safe in Cardiff‘ Campaign – made up of friends and supporters of Babi – held a demonstration in Cardiff city centre today. The event aimed to draw attention to Babi’s situation with respect to his application for asylum, and raise awareness of the persecution that Babi has had to endure in Azerbaijan because of his homosexuality. (article from Pink News)

The support from the public and those attending the Cardiff Pride festivities (which have gone ahead despite certain parts being cancelled because of flooding in Cooper’s field next to Cardiff castle) was very positive with many signing the petition demanding that the Home Office reverse its decision and allow Babi to stay.

Like most gay people who have claimed asylum because of the persecution they have experienced, Babi’s claim for asylum has not been successful. Sexuality, for the Home Office, is for the most part dismissed as adequate ground for being granted asylum. The Home Office policy line with respect to gay asylum applicants is that because gay people are not necessarily visible they can therefore live ‘normal’ lives by being ‘discreet’ about their sexualities and sexual practices.

Even those that it believes have suffered horrific homophobic persecution are regularly forcibly deported back to countries they have fled. They are told to go and live in another part of the country and to keep their sexuality a secret. This translates into nothing more than telling people to live a life in the shadows, hiding their sexuality and praying that no one finds them out.

Before hearing that his application for asylum had been refused Babi said:

‘For the first time in my life I feel really safe in Cardiff. I can go outside without always being scared about what might happen. People calling you names or beating you. In Azerbaijan it is like this. But here I can be happy being who I am and not always having to worry about what people might say or do’

However, since hearing that his claim for asylum has been rejected Babi’s physical and mental health has severely deteriorated. He feels depressed, his insomnia has returned and he once again expresses suicidal thoughts.

He said:

‘I am very sad. I feel very stressed. Every time I have to sign I am scared I will be taken and put in a detention centre again. I am scared what might happen to me if I go back. I can not go back. I will die if I go back. My brothers will try and kill me so that they can walk like big men in the street again’

Despite the hardships of having to endure the dehumanising processes of claiming asylum, Babi still remains actively creative. Indeed, it is only due to his art that Babi is able to carry on at all.

Some of Babi’s work has been exhibited as part of the ongoing Arts call for Darfur project. His work is also being exhibited in Cardiff’s TactileBOSCH studio on 27 September 2008.

Please sign Babi’s petition. For other ways that you can support Babi visit his campaign page.