Human rights advocates are pressuring Germany to more carefully consider asylum applications from the Maghreb, particularly for LGBT individuals.

Earlier this month German newspapers reported that Amnesty International and other human rights groups are asking the country’s interior minister to reject the designation of Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco as “safe countries of origin” with regard to asylum seekers. The pressure comes in response to the German government’s consideration of several draft laws designed to tighten the country’s criteria for asylum more generally.

Human right activists have focused their opposition to the laws on the criminalization of homosexuality in Maghreb countries, which they say is evidence that a path to asylum needs to remain open for LGBT individuals hailing from Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. Read more via Tunisia Live