Interpreting for LGBTIQ+ Asylum Seekers in the Netherlands: Challenges and Policy Recommendations
Date
Authors
Crezee, Ineke
Monzo-Nebot, Esther
Ramirez, Elba
Sanders, Jona
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Abstract
LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers face unique challenges in proving their claims, as their identities are often criminalized or stigmatized in their home countries. Asylum processes rely heavily on credibility assessments, where interpreters play a crucial role in communication. Common issues in interpreter-mediated asylum interviews include lack of specialized training, linguistic barriers, cultural biases, confidentiality concerns, and structural undervaluation of interpreters. In the Netherlands, Work Instruction 2019/17 provides guidelines for assessing LGBTIQ+ claims incorporating international recommendations, but gaps persist in interpreter selection, training, and oversight. This review identifies best practices, including comprehensive interpreter training, trauma-informed approaches, and standardized ethical guidelines. Policy recommendations are suggested, emphasizing the need for clearer protocols, ongoing professional development, and institutional recognition of interpreters’ impact on asylum outcomesDescription
Keywords
LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers, interpreted LGBTIQ+ asylum interviews, interpreter training, legal interpreters, 4410 Sociology, 4701 Communication and media studies, 4704 Linguistics
Source
Frontiers in Communication, ISSN: 2297-900X (Print); 2297-900X (Online), Frontiers Media S.A..
Rights statement
Copyright © 2025 Crezee, Monzó-Nebot, Ramirez and Sanders. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.