Medhi Kazemi

[Kromovaracun]

Medhi Kazemi is a 19-year-old homosexual Iranian who was originally in the UK to study. While he was abroad his lover at home revealed that they had a sexual relationship - illegal in Iran.

Kazemi applied for asylum and was refused. He then fled to the Netherlands. There he seems to have applied for asylum, then to a local court and then a national court who won't consider it. On March 11, it was ruled that he be sent back to Britain - where he will likely be deported. He could yet appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

Deportation will very probably mean a death sentence. His case has a much higher profile in Iran.

What do you think?I shall express my view once I've listened to the debate a bit.

(I've tried to get as many decent links as possible, hence the inclusion of some crap ones)

The Independent
CNN
BBC

this rather surprising diary entry (first para only) is the best I could find for the Guardian.

I can't find the story on the Telegraph's site...

[sp1214]

If the UK changes its mind and allows Kazemi to stay will it be the green light for any Iranian here illegally to claim they were homosexual even if not?

[coco pops]

I think it would be very wrong to send him back to Iran if the facts are true.He did something which is illegal in Iran so you could say he brought the situation on him self BUT how can having a homosexual relationship justify being killed for. As for the Guardian article ........the attitude is disgusting.

[keyplus90]

Would you hide someone under your wings who is wanted for murder in other country. Tomorrow the will kill someone in your household. Same way agree or not homosexuality is considered dangerous in certain countries because its consequences are very vast and sever. Only if it is allowed here that does not mean it is not bad. Just type "homosexuality and health hazards" on google and you will find out.

And then as SP1214 said, ever one would be claiming asylum here on these grounds and ruining our links with the other coutries in the world. Right at the end we will cry about immigration problem.

[coco pops]

I see youir point sp but his partner has been executed after being interogated while he was already in this country .

[Lonnie]

sp1214 has a good point, but not just Iranian, from almost every Middle Eastern country, plus possibly some African as well.

[Louisa 69]

I think it's disgusting that people are still being persecuted and executed for being gay.

To me this isn't an immigration issue, but a human rights one. This young lad deserves to live his life, he has committed no crime, we can't help who we fall in love with.

This is the 21st century after all and it's appauling that the British government are even contemplating sending this young lad back to certain death.

This link has some more information regarding Medhi's case, and a petition for those of you who strongly oppose his deportment.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/UKMADHI/

[Oneeyedvic]

I don't believe that anyone should be sent back to their death (and neither does English Law).

The best outcome would be a 'deal' with the Iranian government that means he is sent back but not killed (he could be lashed or sent to prison in accordance with their law).

[Kromovaracun]

If you wish to sign a petition for saving Kazemi, you can find it here

I'll post my own views soon

[Kromovaracun]

Oops. Louisa beat me to it.

[Booldawg]

Surely the Dutch should be lobbied too; after all its them who wont grant him asylum in their country and who are sending him back to the UK (If I've read it rightly)

[Kromovaracun]

The Duth have to send him back here under an EU law which states that asylum seekers are the responsibility of the country they first arrive in. (Read a few of the links - I think they all touch on it)

[vehelpfulguy]

>I think it's disgusting that people are still being persecuted and executed for being gay.

Do we have any proof at all that this person was executed in Iran?

Do we have a name, do the Iran government admit to doing it?

Or is this yet another example of so called asylum seekers making up some story about life back home so they can carry on living here.

(I am not saying he is lying, just would like some proof as we cannot believe everything asylum seekers say)

[meglet]

I'm rather surprised that no-one has picked up on Keyplus' comments seemingly comparing homosexuality with murder as homosexuality is illegal in Iran just as murder is in the UK. I find this bizarre. What does it honestly matter if consenting adults want to put one part of their bodies in someone else?

Thank God we live in the civilised West.

[lovejoy]

Yes we should make this a safe haven for all arab babberstabbers it's the british thing to do

[123everton]

I don't know a huge amount about this story but I saw George Galloway (of all people) on "The Wright Stuff" today saying that his boyfriend was executed(?) or at least convicted for committing a sex act on a young boy (if I remember correctly) either way he did'nt sound too supportive of his plight and galloway is usually pretty unequivocal in his views. I would hope that one day all nations would allow people the freedom to express their sexuality as adults freely without fear or reprisal but we're some way from that as a global community of humanity, sadly.

[stokemaveric]

yes let him stay and then lets invite all of his boyfriends here as well so that they can live here and get free houses,medical care and everything else that goes with being an asylum seeker,if its against the law in their land then so be it.......its a poor excuse for wanting to stay here.

[fagidill]

All the down & out's we have pileing into this country, im'e
sure the Uk will end up like the schitt hole's they have left,
to come here. All you do gooder's that stick up for them
do me a favour & PAY MY SHARE of the hand out's !!!!!!

[Kromovaracun]

fagidill:

This is not an immigration thread. While it does touch on the issue I do not want it widely discussed here. Just this case.

Thanks

[stokemaveric]

KROMOVARACUN you might not want it to turn into an immigration issue but by the very nature of the case it IS an immigration issue.