Austria rejects 'girlish' Iraqi asylum seeker Published duration 23 August 2018 Related Topics Europe migrant crisis

image copyright Reuters image caption A woman protesting for the rights of asylum seekers in Austria

Austrian officials rejected an Iraqi migrant's asylum application because he was too "girlish", local media say.

The 27-year-old's claim to be gay was deemed "unbelievable", in part due to his behaviour, according to reports. He can appeal against the decision.

It comes just days after Amnesty International criticised Austria's asylum processes as "dubious".

The government has hit back at the criticism, saying its asylum officials work appropriately.

Said to be an active member in local LGBT groups, he is understood to have fled Iraq in 2015, fearing for his life.

However a spokesman for Austria's asylum office said the decision had been reviewed, and rejected the accusation it contained any "clichéd phrasing" by officials in Styria state, Kurier added.

It is the second controversial asylum case in recent days.

Last week, activists said that an 18-year-old Afghan asylum seeker had his application rejected because he did not "act or dress" like a homosexual.

"The inhuman language in asylum claims does not conform with the requirements of a fair, rule-of-law procedure," Amnesty International said in a report.

Interior Ministry spokesman Christoph Poelzl also rejected the accusation officials used "inhuman" language, telling news agency AFP that all employees who assess asylum claims receive training.

However, the official involved in the Afghan asylum seeker's case is no longer involved in assessing applications, he added.