05/20/2008
UK Grants Asylum Request from Gay Iranian Teen Mehdi Kazemi
Gay Iranian teen Mehdi Kazemi, whose appeal for asylum in the UK made headlines in mid-March and inspired protest at Downing Street, has been granted permission to stay:
"Mr. Kazemi told UK Gay News today that he had received a letter from the Border and Immigration Agency of the Home Office to say his asylum request had now been granted. 'I am so happy,' he said, adding that he was grateful to all the help he ad been given, especially by Simon Hughes MP. There will be a full statement tomorrow."
Kazemi's case had been in limbo while the Home Office considered it. Hopefully, it will result in new policies for cases of gays and lesbians fleeing persecution in their countries.
Previously
Save Gay Iranian Teen Madhi Kazemi [tr]
Gay Iranian Mehdi Kazemi Seeking Asylum in the UK [tr]
Following Reprieve, Gay Iranian Mehdi Kazemi Thanks Supporters [tr]
Peter Tatchell on Iran and Gays: It's Like Nazi Germany [tr]
London Supporters of Gay Iranian Teen Stage Downing St Protest [tr]
Posted 9:36 AM EST by Andy in Great Britain, Iran, News | Permalink
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Great...thanks to all of y'all(concerned gay folks) who contacted the British authorities. Sometimes it works, doesn't it?
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | May 20, 2008 10:14:43 AM
Yes, indeed, Derrick. Sometimes it does work. Slowly, all too slowly, enlightened policies are formulated through the efforts of those who take time to contact authorities.
Keep pressing on gay marriage, mis amores, the light of a new era is dawning.
Posted by: rudy | May 20, 2008 10:48:17 AM
Thanks for the support of everyone who has helped in the USA - it really has made a difference to today's success.
We still have work to do with the many others under threat, and the policies of our government which lie the fight for Mehdi still stand. But today is a day for celebration!
Many thanks everyone.
Posted by: paul canning | May 20, 2008 11:17:17 AM
Unfortunatly the British Goverment will continue to send back Gay men and women, just as they have been doing(also dying cancer patients, teens who have never lived in the home country etc.)and will only stop when caught again. This shouldn't have to be raised as an issue everytime it happens. This policy should have been changed years ago.
When the Brits prattle on about what a police state we are in the states and how we are war monger's and such, I just tell them flat out, that at least we aren't sending people back to countries that want to kill them just because they love someone differently. This boy's lover was hanged, his family threatened and still the Home Office balked. But maybe sadder still was the Netherlands, the supposedly most Liberal country in the EU for Gays and they refused to give this boy sanctuary.
Posted by: Joshua | May 20, 2008 2:00:12 PM
Thank God.Finally he can feel safe.I'm also glad that we can influence or at least make some government see the right path by making our opinions known to them.What it will be great is that if it could work in Gambia or at least to get the "gambia beast" out of office.Kind of like some well centered army officer exterminate the beast once and for all.I don't wish anybody's death but I will love to have an AK47 and be close to some people in this world.Boy will I have fun.
Posted by: Oscar | May 21, 2008 12:50:48 AM
Well yes Joshua, damn those pesky Europeans, how dare they!
Posted by: Nonplussed | May 21, 2008 5:57:33 AM