The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is now dealing with several cases where homosexual immigrants fear for their lives after their family has discovered their sexual leanings.
UDI's team against forced marriage has dealt so far this year with 160 cases where boys and girls risked being married against their will. A handful of those cases involve homosexual or lesbian youth.
The homosexual youth tell the team of death threats and of the fear to be expelled from the family.
"They fear they'll be killed," says adviser Terje Bjørnanger to Dagsavisen.
According Bjøranger the youth's background is from Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, areas where forced marriages are a problem.
The youth are to be married in the family's homeland before coming back to Norway. Several have already been married and ask for help to leave the marriage, according to Bjøranger.
It can be difficult especially for girls, he says. Some choose to continue staying married, but live a homosexual life as well.
"Many struggle with mental problems," says Bjøranger.
Source: Dagbladet (Norwegian)
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