UK: Protestors slam Iran over gay executions - Gay.com UK

Protestors slam Iran over gay executions
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK
Friday 12 August, 2005 12:08

More than a hundred people took to the streets of London yesterday, campaigning against the Iranian treatment of lesbian and gay people.

The protests came after two teenage boys were publicly hanged in Iran last month, apparently for the crime of “homosexuality”.

Simultaneous demonstrations were held in San Francisco, Dublin, Paris and Montpelier.

“We condemn the execution of two teenage boys in Iran on charges involving homosexual acts,” a statement from organisers Outrage said.

“One of them was a minor at the time of his execution; both were minors when they committed their offences.”

The hangings have been the centre of controversy, after the Iranian government also accused the boys of raping a younger boy.

However, campaigners say the charges may have been added in a bid to discourage western attention to the case.

They also say that the use of the death penalty for any crime should be dropped for human rights reasons.

As well as gay rights groups, the protest was also attended by socialist and human rights campaigners, as well as Iranian reformers.

Additionally, exiles and asylum seekers called for more pressure to be mounted on the country for its human rights record.

The demonstration in London took place outside the Iranian Embassy, with campaigners calling on those who could not attend to contact the Ambassador and register their anger at the executions.



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