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Safety for All: Berlin Opens First LGBT Refugee Center

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The first LGBT hostel for homosexual refugees in the German capital will open soon in Berlin's Treptow district.

Refugees walk to a chartered train at the railway station of Passau, Germany, Jan. 5, 2016 - Sputnik International
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According to German officials, this group needs special protection as it faces severe discrimination and violence in ordinary refugee facilities.

The initiative was launched by Schwulenberatung Berlin (LGBT advice office in Berlin) in order to protect homosexual refugees from abuse.

"We [..] launched the initiative because many refugees have come to us and asked for help, as the situation in ordinary community housing facilities and temporary housing facilities has become unbearable for them," a representative of the advice office told RT.

According to the official, many of them have complained about discrimination and abuse.

"They have been beaten and kicked, they have been abused and threatened with rape," the official said. "And we have also had someone who could have died as a result of such abuse".

The housing facility is designed for 124 people. According to the authorities, the number of homosexuals among the refugees varies from 4 to 8 percent. Earlier, the first hostel of that kind opened in Nuremberg, Bavaria.

The organizers are planning to carry out special courses for the inhabitants, including German language classes and integration courses, taught by representatives of Germany's LGBT community.

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