» Success!
The United Kingdom has finally granted Iranian 20-year Mehdi Kazemi asylum. The move came after months of back-and-forth - literally. Kazemi fled the UK for the Netherlands, which sent him back. The government originally had no interest in keeping Kazemi, who faced death back in Iran, but finally agreed to let him live in peace. [UK Gay News] |
|
» Cameroon Queer To Be Deported?
Uh-oh! Iranian gay Mehdi Kazemi ain't the only gay fighting for his life. Switzerland may soon deport a Cameroonian national, Anatole Zali, who fled his homeland after receiving death threats. Swiss authorities didn't find enough grounds to keep Zali, whose personal appeals have been struck down. That whole neutrality thing cuts both ways, huh? [Pink News] |
|
|
|
What would Michael Lucas say! Two prominent personalities - CNN's Glenn Beck and activist Peter Tatchell - compared asylum seeking gay Iranian Mehdi Kazemi's plight to that of Nazi fleeing Jews. Watch Beck's comments above and Tatchell's after the jump. |
|
Controversial MP George Galloway raised eyebrows this week while discussing the ongoing Mehdi Kazemi drama. CONTINUED » |
|
» Save Gay Iranian Teen!
Nineteen-year old Iranian national Mehdi Kazemi returns to the UK this week from the Netherlands, which denied his pleas and sent him back to Britain. British authorities don't have the best gay track record, so activists want you - yes, you! - to sign a petition to PM Gordon Brown requesting asylum for Mehdi, who faces execution if sent back to Iran. [iPetitions] |
|
» Export, Import
The Netherlands denied 19-year old Iranian Mehdi Kazemi's asylum appeal. He will now head back the UK, which may send him back to Iran, where he likely faces death. [UK Gay News] |
|
» Shame…
Britain's Home Office fails again. As officials debate what to do with gay Iranian Mehdi Kazemi, they may force 40-year old Pegah Emambakhsh back to the anti-gay nation. Emambakhsh fled Iran after the government executed her girlfriend. She faces the same fate, unfortunately. [Independent] |
|
The 19-year old remains in The Netherlands after delaying his deportation to Britain, which will likely send him back to Iran. Kazemi moved to England in 2004 for university and claims he intended to leave, but stayed after the Iranian government executed his boyfriend. The British government planned to kick Kazemi out, but the teen hopped off to The Netherlands, which has a moratorium on deporting endangered gays. Kazemi's case gets a bit complicated, however, when you consider Europe's Dublin Treaty. That measure stipulates that asylum cases must be tried in the nation where the subject applied, which would be England for Kazemi. He's hoping, however, that British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will take pity on him. In a letter sent yesterday, Kazemi again reiterates that he fears for his life and that he should be punished for his natural attractions. The British government won't comment on specific cases, but insists they "will not remove anyone who we believe is at risk on their return." |
Editor
Andrew Belonsky Editorial Director
David Hauslaib Publisher
Jossip Initiatives
