Gay student 'faces death' after Iran return

[cboy4]

on edit: update links
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This makes me want to throw up

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From Times Online
March 11, 2008

A gay teenager who faces being hanged if sent back to Iran is a step closer to being forced to return today, after the Netherlands followed Britain in refusing his appeal for asylum. :wtf:

Mehdi Kazemi, 19, came to London to study English in 2005 but says he later discovered that his boyfriend had been arrested by the Iranian police, charged with sodomy and hanged.

He claimed asylum in Britain, saying that he feared for his life if he returned. However, his case was refused late last year, so he fled to the Netherlands.

A Dutch court today, however, ordered him to return to Britain, leaving the teenager once again facing deportation.

<snip>

Peter Tatchell, of the gay rights campaign group Outrage, and one of Mr Kazemi’s supporters, said: “Gay men in Iran are hanged from public cranes using the barbaric method of slow strangulation, which is deliberately designed to cause maximum suffering."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3531630.ece

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/11/iran.asylum/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7290330.stm

**Graphic** photo below, but it's important to see:

Human rights campaigners say Iran falsely convicts gay men of other crimes to execute them

Gays should be tortured and hanged, says Iranian minister meeting British MPs:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=493570&in_page_id=1811

Homosexuals deserve to be tortured and executed an Iranian leader told British MPs during a private meeting at a peace conference, it emerged today.

Mohsen Yahyavi is the highest-ranked politician to admit that Iran believes in the death penalty for homosexuality following recent reports that gay youths were being hanged.

President Ahmadinejad, questioned by students in New York two months ago about the executions, dodged the issue by suggesting that there were no gays in his country.


(teenagers)

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I don't understand why they would not grant him asylum?? I hope he can keep trying

countries in Europe until he finds one with some sense and compassion.

[Cronus Protagonist]

10. I sense a lack of compassion among the judiciary

In both countries. These judges don't deserve to be spat upon if they were on fire.

[MadAndy]

2. Sharia law, Coming soon to a country near you.

[OhioChick]

3. This is sad...

I hope that he can find asylum somewhere. Is it Iran that hangs women for being raped, as well? Terrible.

[hifalutin]

8. No, they are not hanged

I believe Muslim law condemns the women victims to death by stoning.

All homosexuals are executed in Arab countries, that's why Ahmad is right, there are no gays in Iran, they are all dead!

[OhioChick]

9. You are Right.

I looked it up and found they were in fact, stoned.

[DU9598]

4. SO WTF CAN WE DO???

Please, if anyone knows ... please respond. Is there any organization to whom we can appeal?

[DU9598]

6. Sent to Sens. Harkin and Grassley - Cut, paste, and send to your Senator, Represenative

Dear Sen. -

I write to you as an Iowan and a gay man in asking you to intervene and bring attention to the situation involving Mehdi Kazemi. Mr. Kazemi is only 19 years old. He traveled to London to study English in 2005 but says he later discovered that his boyfriend had been arrested by the Iranian police, charged with sodomy and was hanged. Thereafter, he claimed asylum in Britain, saying that he feared for his life if he returned. However, his case was refused late last year, so he fled to the Netherlands. A Dutch court today, however, ordered him to return to Britain, leaving the teenager once again facing deportation. This 19 year old boy is going to be returned to Iran to be hanged. The US State Department should be forced to intervene to save this human life. I am directing you to an internet link to a story about young Mr. Kazemi.

Please respond to let me know that you will do something to save this young boy from a brutal hanging due to his sexuality. As you can tell, I am heartsick over this issue. Thank you,

LINK:
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2991950

[cboy4]

7. Thanks for doing this DU9598

:)

[kenny blankenship]

5. There is also a similar case going on at the same time with a Iranian woman

Now Iranian lesbian who fled to Britain faces deportation from The Independent, By Robert Verkaik, Law Editor
Friday, 7 March 2008

An Iranian lesbian who fled to Britain after her girlfriend was arrested and sentenced to death faces being forcibly returned after losing the latest round in her battle to be granted asylum.

The case of Pegah Emambakhsh, 40, comes a day after The Independent reported on the growing public outcry over the plight of a gay Iranian teenager [ Mehdi Kazemi ] who fears he will be executed if he is deported to Iran.

Both cases have provoked international protests against Britain and led to calls for an immediate moratorium on the deportation of gay and lesbian asylum-seekers who fear they will be persecuted in Iran.