Today the blog takes a slight departure from social cohesion to highlight a story we feel is of urgent importance: British authorities’ decision to deport a young gay Iranian man home to almost certain hanging.
No, you didn’t misread. Her Majesty’s government has refused to grant asylum to 19 year-old Iranian Mehdi Kazemi. After coming to the UK to study English, Kazemi learned that an ex-boyfriend had been convicted and hanged for sodomy back in Iran – after naming Kazemi as a former partner.
Kazemi has fled to Holland to seek asylum there. All rides on the decision of a Dutch court either to grant Kazemi asylum or return him to Britain, which would send him back to Iran.
If the latter comes to pass, this is very likely the homecoming Kazemi can look forward to. (Photo credit: The Daily Mail)
Maybe a deserving case - but why are the UK authorities getting stick for this?
How many countries are there between Iraq and the UK where this unfortunate lad could have been granted asylum?
I'm so sad...and just sick about this. If he were a starving Darfurian would he have been granted asylum. Wow...the level of compassion shown by the UK is staggering. Oh, the humanity!!!