GREEK HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY
G.H.C. - Ε.Ο.Κ.
PRESS RELEASE: Greece about to deport gay man back to Iran
Monday 29 October 2007
G.H.C. - Ε.Ο.Κ.
PRESS RELEASE: Greece about to deport gay man back to Iran
Monday 29 October 2007
TO: The European Parliament, European Political Parties,
Humanitarian Organizations, International Press
URGENT
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are writing to draw your attention to the case of a 40-year-old gay Iranian man, identified here as Alex, who is about to be expelled from Greece and deported back to Iran. As is well known and documented, gay people in Iran are subjected to persecution and severe punishment, including execution. If Alex returns to Iran, Greece will be committing a serious miscarriage of justice and a gross violation of human rights.
Alex (his real name and identity are known to our organization) used to live a fully respected life in Iran. He is a member of a rich Iranian family and used to have a respectful job in Iran. In 1999 he was visited at his workplace by an ex-schoolmate who knew Alex was gay and who was probably a member of the government party. After that visit, Alex was arrested by the religion police and kept in the Jankal jail at the Iranian town of Rast for 45 days.
Alex was tortured at Jankal. He was beaten systematically with lashing straps in his back and kidneys and afterwards was put in water in order to not develop ecchymosis and edema. He was beaten several times in the face, losing three teeth as a result. He had his testicles twisted, was submitted to bastinado and had salt poured on his open wounds. He was put twice in mock execution.
After spending forty-five days in jail, his family paid to get him out so that he could attend the funeral of his mother. The police took him to the funeral in women’s clothes. While out of jail, Alex managed to escape. A few days later, he arrived to Greece by way of Turkey in a terrible condition.
He went to the General Administration office of the police and applied for political asylum based on the torture he had been submitted to in Iran. The application was rejected. In 2003, Alex submitted a second application for political asylum stating that he was homosexual and had a relationship with a Greek man, Phoebos (his real name and identity are known to our organization), who also testified that he was Alex’s partner. (Alex and Phoebos are still together today). However, this application was also rejected. (Alex’s file in the Ministry of Public Order is YDT 95/43303; his file in the Asylum Department of the Home Office is 12206/38647).
Now Alex’s case is to be discussed in front of the Supreme Council, which is scheduled to decide for a definitive resolution regarding his status as a refugee on March 11, 2008.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Alex’s deportation to Iran will constitute a violation of the articles 3 and 15 of the International Convention of the Human Rights, co-signed and validated by Greece.
We need your strong support in order to prevent the Greek state from violating the international law and the human rights of a person whose life is in danger because of his sexuality.
We would be more than happy to provide further information on the case.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your response and immediate action.
Yours sincerely,
The Members of the Greek Homosexual Community (G.H.C.-ΕΟΚ)
Contact: General Secretary of GHC-EOK Marina Galanou
Greek Homosexual Community, EOK
(Member of: ILGA, ILGYO, All Different-all Equal)
Antoniadou 6 str., Athens, Attica, PC 10434, Greece
Tel. (0030)210.8826600 Fax. (0030)210.8826898
Mobile: (0030)6949295041
http://www.gayhomes.net/eok/ & http://www.eok.gr
Humanitarian Organizations, International Press
URGENT
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are writing to draw your attention to the case of a 40-year-old gay Iranian man, identified here as Alex, who is about to be expelled from Greece and deported back to Iran. As is well known and documented, gay people in Iran are subjected to persecution and severe punishment, including execution. If Alex returns to Iran, Greece will be committing a serious miscarriage of justice and a gross violation of human rights.
Alex (his real name and identity are known to our organization) used to live a fully respected life in Iran. He is a member of a rich Iranian family and used to have a respectful job in Iran. In 1999 he was visited at his workplace by an ex-schoolmate who knew Alex was gay and who was probably a member of the government party. After that visit, Alex was arrested by the religion police and kept in the Jankal jail at the Iranian town of Rast for 45 days.
Alex was tortured at Jankal. He was beaten systematically with lashing straps in his back and kidneys and afterwards was put in water in order to not develop ecchymosis and edema. He was beaten several times in the face, losing three teeth as a result. He had his testicles twisted, was submitted to bastinado and had salt poured on his open wounds. He was put twice in mock execution.
After spending forty-five days in jail, his family paid to get him out so that he could attend the funeral of his mother. The police took him to the funeral in women’s clothes. While out of jail, Alex managed to escape. A few days later, he arrived to Greece by way of Turkey in a terrible condition.
He went to the General Administration office of the police and applied for political asylum based on the torture he had been submitted to in Iran. The application was rejected. In 2003, Alex submitted a second application for political asylum stating that he was homosexual and had a relationship with a Greek man, Phoebos (his real name and identity are known to our organization), who also testified that he was Alex’s partner. (Alex and Phoebos are still together today). However, this application was also rejected. (Alex’s file in the Ministry of Public Order is YDT 95/43303; his file in the Asylum Department of the Home Office is 12206/38647).
Now Alex’s case is to be discussed in front of the Supreme Council, which is scheduled to decide for a definitive resolution regarding his status as a refugee on March 11, 2008.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Alex’s deportation to Iran will constitute a violation of the articles 3 and 15 of the International Convention of the Human Rights, co-signed and validated by Greece.
We need your strong support in order to prevent the Greek state from violating the international law and the human rights of a person whose life is in danger because of his sexuality.
We would be more than happy to provide further information on the case.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your response and immediate action.
Yours sincerely,
The Members of the Greek Homosexual Community (G.H.C.-ΕΟΚ)
Contact: General Secretary of GHC-EOK Marina Galanou
Greek Homosexual Community, EOK
(Member of: ILGA, ILGYO, All Different-all Equal)
Antoniadou 6 str., Athens, Attica, PC 10434, Greece
Tel. (0030)210.8826600 Fax. (0030)210.8826898
Mobile: (0030)6949295041
http://www.gayhomes.net/eok/ & http://www.eok.gr
7 σχόλια:
Greek gay community protest Iran deportation
(Tony Grew, pinknews.co.uk, 29/10/2007)
A gay rights group in Greece has asked for help to stop the deportation of a 40-year-old Iranian man.
GHC-EOK say that the man, known as Alex, was arrested, beaten and tortured in his home country because he is gay.
Two separate applications to remain in Greece have been rejected and his case is due to be discussed before the country's Supreme Council.
A spokesman for GHC-EOK said:
"Alex's deportation to Iran will constitute a violation of the articles 3 and 15 of the International Convention of the Human Rights, co-signed and validated by Greece.
"We need your strong support in order to prevent the Greek state from violating the international law and the human rights of a person whose life is in danger because of his sexuality."
The organisation says that Greece will be committing a serious miscarriage of justice and a gross violation of human rights if they return Alex to Iran.
Gay and lesbian people in the Islamic Republic of Iran face the death penalty.
GHC-EOK say that Alex is a member of a rich Iranian family who was visited in 1999 at his workplace by an ex-schoolmate who knew Alex was gay and who was probably a member of the government party.
After that visit, Alex was arrested by the religious police and kept in the Jankal jail at the Iranian town of Rast for 45 days.
Alex was tortured at Jankal.
He was beaten systematically with lashing straps in his back and kidneys.
Beaten several times in the face, he lost three teeth as a result.
He had his testicles twisted, was submitted to bastinado (beating the soles of the feet) and had salt poured on his open wounds. He was put twice in mock execution.
After spending forty-five days in jail, his family paid to get him out so that he could attend the funeral of his mother.
The police took him to the funeral in women's clothes. While out of jail, Alex managed to escape. A few days later, he arrived to Greece by way of Turkey in a terrible condition.
He went to the General Administration office of the police and applied for political asylum based on the torture he had been submitted to in Iran.
The application was rejected.
In 2003, Alex submitted a second application for political asylum stating that he was homosexual and had a relationship with a Greek man, Phoebos (not his real name), who also testified that he was Alex's partner.
Alex and Phoebos are still together. However, this application was also rejected.
Now Alex's case is to be discussed in front of the Supreme Council, which is scheduled to decide for a definitive resolution regarding his status as a refugee on March 11, 2008.
GHC-EOK hope that international pressure will force the Greek government to reassess his case.
The status of Iranian people claiming asylum on the grounds of their sexuality has caused controversy in several European countries, including the UK.
Last month an Iranian lesbian due to be deported from the UK was told her case will be heard by The Court of Appeal after a campaign by human rights activists.
Pegah Emambakhsh has been released on bail by British officials. She was scheduled for repatriation in August.
Her sexual orientation and her past life in Iran may lead to her being executed.
Even if she is not sentenced to death, she is likely to be prosecuted and tortured by Iran's religious officials.
Punishment for sexual intercourse among lesbians in Iran is 100 lashes and in the case of recidivists, execution.
The Italian government had intervened in Ms Emambakhsh's case by offering her asylum if the UK deported her.
Last month the President of Iran,Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, claimed in reply to a question posed about homosexuality during a speech at New York’s Columbia University:
"In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country.
"In Iran we do not have this phenomenon, I don’t know who has told you that we have it."
Presidential media adviser Mohammad Kalhor later claimed:
"What Ahmadinejad said was not a political answer. He said that, compared to American society, we don't have many homosexuals."
In August a newspaper, Shargh, was shut down for printing an interview with a lesbian poet, Saghi Ghahreman.
In July 2005, two gay teenagers, Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni were executed sparking protests around the world.
Since then, PinkNews.co.uk has reported on public executions and lynchings of gay people across the country.
Oproep voor steun aan Iraanse asielzoeker
(GK.nl, 29/10/2007)
De Griekse homobeweging GHC-EOK heeft een internationale oproep gedaan om te voorkomen dat een 40-jarige Iraanse homo wordt uitgewezen naar zijn land. Daar wacht hem zeer waarschijnlijk de doodstraf.
De man vluchtte in 1999 via Turkije naar Griekenland, waar hij asiel heeft aangevraagd. Binnenkort komt zijn zaak voor het Hooggerechtshof. GHC-EOK vreest een negatief besluit met als gevolg dat de man gedeporteerd zal worden naar zijn thuisland.
'Alex', zoals de vluchteling wordt genoemd, werd in 1999 gearresteerd toen hij werd verraden door een vroegere klasgenoot. Hij werd gevangen genomen en meerdere keren zwaar mishandeld. Na 45 dagen cel betaalde zijn familie een borgsom zodat hij de begrafenis van zijn moeder kon bijwonen. Gehuld in vrouwenkleren wist hij bij die gelegenheid te ontsnappen.
Na zijn vlucht naar Griekenland diende hij meerdere verzoeken in voor een asielvergunningen, die tot nu toe zijn geweigerd. GHC-EOK zegt dat een mogelijke uitwijzing als een zwaard van Damocles boven het hoofd van Alex hangt en hoopt nu dat het buitenland druk op de Griekse regering zal uitoefenen om de man van de dood te redden.
Grecia, mobilitazione contro l'espulsione di un gay iraniano
25/10/2007 di Tetu.com (traduzione Lamanicatagliata.com)
www.tetu.com/rubrique/infos/infos_detail.php?id_news=12005
Dopo il caso di Pegah una nuova mobilitazione della comunità LGBT europea, la notizia è del sito Tetu.com
Questa volta è il caso della Grecia che vede al centro dell'attenzione mediatica del paese il caso di un giovane gay iraniano a rischio espulsione. Militanti gay greci hanno iniziato nei giorni scorsi una mobilitazione per impedire l'espulsione verso l'Iran del giovane, che ha fatto richiesta d'asilo. L'associazione EOK, una delle principali del paese, mette in guardia contro i rischi di morte per il giovane nel caso di reinpatrio domandando un riesame della domanda d'asilo depositata nel 1999, domanda che fa menzione dell'omosessualità del giovane e che include un dichiarazione del suo compagno greco. Il giovane è stato torturato e violentato durante una detenzione di 45 giorni prima della sua fuga dall'Iran. La Grecia è regolarmente criticata dall'Alto Comitato ONU per i Rifugiati epr la sua politica restrittiva in materia d'asilo.
Grecia podría expulsar a un homosexual iraní
(dosmanzanas.com, 29-10-2007
La asociación homosexual EOK, una de los dos principales de Grecia, ha iniciado
una campaña para impedir la expulsión del país de un homosexual iraní, que
podría ser devuelto a Teherán próximamente. EOK y quienes apoyan su iniciativa
piden que se vuelva a estudiar su petición de asilo.
Ese texto fue redactado en 1999 y en él se incluye una declaración de su pareja,
de nacionalidad griega, y se asegura que antes de abandonar Irán fue torturado y
violado cuando permaneció detenido durante 45 días. Esas agresiones habrían sido
certificadas por un centro de ayuda a las víctimas de torturas, ya en Grecia.
Esta campaña de EOK para impedir la expulsión de ‘Alex’ -sobrenombre que han
dado al gay iraní- se apoya además en el ejemplo de otros recientes casos
vividos en Europa. Hace unas semanas estuvo de actualidad el caso de Pegah, a
quien finalmente se permitió permanecer en Inglaterra después de que Italia se
ofreciera a darle acogida. En Francia, Miryam vio cómo su caso fue revisado por
Francia y se le concedió el asilo.
Irán, recordemos, es uno de los países del mundo donde la homosexualidad está
reprimida con mayor dureza, estando contemplada incluso la pena de muerte por
ser gay o lesbiana. En los últimos meses, el Gobierno de Mahmud Ahmadinejad ha
agravado aún más la situación y ha confirmado detenciones y ejecuciones contra
varios grupos sociales.
Grèce: droit d' asile pour un jeune iranien!
(luclebelge.skynetblogs.be, 27/10/2007)
Mobilisation lesbigay en Grèce pour empecher l'expulsion du jeune homosexuel iranien que j' ai évoquée précédemment. Les associations grecques se sont adressées aux ministres en charge du dossier pour signaler les risques encourus par ce jeune s' il remet les pieds sur le sol iranien. Le jeune iranien avait déposé une demande d' asile en 1999 déjà, portant à l'attention des autorités grecques qu' il avait été torturé et violé dans les prisons iraniennes.
La Grèce est hélas connue pour son manque de souplesse en matière de droit d' asile.
Il est important que nous nous mobilisions au niveau européen. En attendant on peut toujours écrite à l' ambassade de Grèce pour leur faire savoir que nous sommes au courant de cette situation et plus que préoccupés!!!
Mobilisation contre l'expulsion d'un gay iranien
(tetu.com, 24/10/2007)
Après l'affaire Pegah au Royaume-Uni, Hamid en France et des dizaines d'autres en Europe, un nouveau cas de réfugié iranien est au centre de l'attention médiatique en Grèce. Des militants homosexuels grecs ont en effet commencé hier, mardi 24 octobre, à se mobiliser pour empêcher l'expulsion vers l'Iran d'un homosexuel iranien débouté de sa demande d'asile. Dans un courrier adressé aux ministres concernés, l'association EOK, l'une des deux principales organisations homo du pays, met en garde contre les risques pesant sur la vie de cet homme, identifié comme «Alex». Les relations homosexuelles pouvent être punies par la peine de mort en Iran. L'EOK demande un «réexamen» de la demande d'asile qu'il a déposée après son arrivée en Grèce en 1999, qui mentionne son homosexualité et inclut une déclaration de son compagnon grec.
Selon l'EOK, Alex invoque aussi des tortures et viols subis pendant sa détention de 45 jours avant sa fuite d'Iran, des agressions corroborées par un centre d'aide aux victimes de tortures opérant en Grèce. Le président iranien Mahmoud Ahmadinejad avait soutenu en septembre à l'ONU qu'il n'y avait pas d'homosexuels en Iran (lire Quotidien du 26 septembre). La Grèce est régulièrement critiquée par le haut-Commissariat de l'ONU aux réfugiés (HCR) pour sa politique très restrictive en matière d'asile.
Grèce: nouveau cas de réfugié iranien menacé d'expulsion
(v2.e-llico.com, 25/10/2007)
Des militants homosexuels grecs de l'association EOK veulent empêcher l'expulsion vers l'Iran d'un gay iranien. Ils souhaitent un "réexamen" de sa demande d'asile pour homosexualité.
Ce réfugié a subi des tortures et viols pendant sa détention avant sa fuite d'Iran.
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