Worcester's LGBTQ+ community has shown strong support for a man fearing for his life if forced to return to his home country due to his sexual orientation. Monsur Ahmed Chowdhury, who identifies as gay, is seeking asylum in the UK, where he has resided for 15 years. As a Bangladeshi national, Mr. Chowdhury fears persecution upon returning to Bangladesh because of his sexuality. Despite multiple asylum applications, the Home Office has repeatedly denied his claims, arguing that they do not believe his fear of persecution is well-founded.

Currently residing in London, Mr. Chowdhury is appealing his case, and members of the LGBTQ+ community in Worcester are supporting him. 

"I feel unsafe and am under significant stress because of my situation," Mr. Chowdhury stated. 

"I am a genuine gay person who has been suffering for the last six years due to the initial judge's decision in his asylum case. 

"My life is in danger in Bangladesh, and I would be killed if I were forcibly returned there."

Chowdhury found Worcester LGBT through social media, and visited the city several times, including a visit to the Cathedral. 

The group is now supporting him and will testify in support of his appeal in court.

A spokesperson for Worcester LGBT added: "We are deeply concerned about Mr Chowdhury's welfare. 

"He is a genuinely gay person who has been let down by the Home Office."

Mr Chowdhury arrived in the UK in October 2009, with valid leave as a Tier 4 Student. 

He first claimed asylum in May 2017, but this was refused, and subsequent claims have also been rejected.

In the most recent instance, the Home Office determined that Mr. Chowdhury does not qualify for refugee status because, on the balance of probability, the evidence did not support their conclusion that he has a well-founded fear of persecution. 

According to documents obtained by the Worcester News, he is ineligible for humanitarian protection as he hasn't demonstrated that there are strong reasons to think that he is in danger of suffering significant harm. 

According to the Home Office documents, the department expressed dissatisfaction with the idea that his removal from the UK or requirement to leave would violate the Human Rights Act of 1998. 

Worcester News has contacted the Home Office but they were unavailable to comment by the time we went to press. 

Many British Bangladeshis are sentenced to jail due to seeking fake asylum.