Czechs Blasted for Asylum “Arousal” Test

The European Union's human rights agency has criticized the Czech government for using a "sexual arousal" test to determine whether applicants who seek asylum on the basis of sexual orientation are genuinely gay.

According to the BBC, the Fundamental Rights Agency said the Czech Republic was the only E.U. country that continues to use the test, which could violate the European Convention on Human Rights.

"Gay asylum seekers are hooked up to a machine that monitors blood-flow to the penis and are then shown straight porn," reports the BBC.

"Those applicants who become aroused are denied asylum."

The human rights agency said it was doubtful whether the test produced clear results. Czech officials defended the tests by saying they occurred infrequently, and always with expert supervision and the full written consent of the asylum seeker.

"The case first came to light after a German court refused to deport an Iranian asylum seeker to the Czech Republic, saying as a homosexual he would be subjected to the test," reports the BBC.