the threshold for asylum antolovic the threshold for doing so.icult to be gay or to be a woman and where individuals are being persecuted it is right that we offer sanctuary. but we will not be able to sustain an asylum system if in effect simply being gay or a woman orfearful of or a woman or fearful of discrimination or a woman orfearful of discrimination in your country of origin is sufficient to qualify for protection. article 31 of the refugee convention makes clear that it is intended to apply to individuals coming directly from a territory where their life was threatened and it also states that where people are crossing borders without permission, they should present themselves without delay to the authorities and must show good cause for any illegal entry. the uk along with many others including america interprets this to mean that people should seek refuge and claim asylum in the first safe country that they reach. ngos and others including the un refugee agency contest this and the status quo where people are able to travel through mult