Gay Moroccan Man Granted Asylum in Canary Islands, Fleeing Family Pressure and Legal Risks

Ashim (pseudonym) is a 32-year-old Moroccan who has been granted political asylum for his sexual orientation. He arrived in Gran Canaria on December 31 on a boat, fleeing the pressure of his family who wanted to see him married. But Ashim is gay and has hidden his homosexuality from his family because in Morocco, relationships between two people of the same sex are punishable by a sentence of six months to three years in prison (Article 489 of the Moroccan Penal Code).

Ashim grew up in a modest family. He was aware of his sexual orientation from a young age, but never revealed it to anyone. At the age of 19, when he went to the University of Marrakech to study philosophy, he thought he could live his life as a homosexual in secret. But at the age of 30, his family began to put pressure on him to get married. To escape this pressure, he decided to leave Morocco, telling his family that he was going to build a better future, reports 20minutos.es.

Upon his arrival in the Canary Islands, he created a profile on social networks. That’s where he meets Vincent, a friend. The latter welcomes him to his home, and after listening to his story, advised him to apply for political asylum, which he eventually obtained. With this status, he will be able to work in hotels or as a migrant translator, if he learns Spanish. Ashim informed his family that he had obtained political asylum for his activism in Berber separatism, and not for his homosexuality. He does not intend to reveal his homosexuality to his family in order not to cause them harm. Likewise, he does not plan to return to live in Morocco, as he fears being imprisoned.