UK, Ireland, France & US: Protests planned over gay executions

Protests planned over gay executions
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK
Wednesday 10 August, 2005 12:04

Five cities across the globe will stage protests against Iran’s treatment of lesbian and gay people tomorrow, following the hanging of two boys for allegedly having gay sex.

London, Dublin, Paris, San Francisco and Montpelier in France will stage protests aimed at raising awareness of Iran’s history on lesbian and gay issues, as well as the recent executions.

They come despite questions being raised by some organisations about the executions last month of Mahmoud Asgari (16) and Ayaz Marhoni (18).

Although the majority of news agencies and human rights campaigners believe the boys were killed because of their sexuality, some say the other charge of rape has been forgotten by protestors.

However, the protestors say the rape charge is likely to have been added to the charges in a bid to divert international attention. They also say that the execution of minors should be stopped, along with the use of the death penalty for crimes.

“The Iranian government claims they were hanged for the rape of a 13 year old boy,” Ramzi Isalam of the LGBT human rights group OutRage! said in a statement today.

“We are not prepared to give the violently homophobic Iranian government the benefit of the doubt.”

“It has previously lied to justify public executions. In any case, the death penalty is a disproportionate punishment. It is barbaric and should be abolished.”

The protestors will call for the Iranian government to relax its stance on homosexuality, which is considered illegal under the country’s law.

The London protest will take place outside Iran’s Embassy tomorrow, between 1pm to 2pm. Those who cannot attend are being urged to contact the Iranian Ambassador to register their support for the demonstration.



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