Gay Asylum Seekers

To JACQUI SMITH MP, HOME SECRETARY:Dear Home Secretary,

We are extremely concerned at reports of the case of Mehdi Kazemi, a 19-year-old gay Iranian who has been refused asylum in Britain. He had claimed asylum on the grounds that his former boyfriend has been hanged in Iran for his homosexuality and, under interrogation, had named Mr. Kazemi as his partner. Mr. Kazemi fears that if he is forced to return to Iran he, too, will be hanged.

Please tell us urgently:

1) Why was Mr. Kazemi refused asylum in apparent breach of Home Office guidelines to immigration officers?

2) How is this decision justified against our commitments to international agreements on refugees?

3) How many gay, lesbian and bisexual asylum-seekers have been turned down by the British Government in the last ten years and returned to countries where homosexuality is punishable by death?

4) Can you assure us that, if Mr. Kazemi is returned to Britain from Holland - where he is now appealing against deportation - that he will be granted asylum here?

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