Iran set to execute three young men convicted of homosexuality as juveniles

Two young men are hanged to death in Iran for alleged homosexual conduct (AP Photo)

An attorney for two of three men being held in prison in Iran for "homosexual conduct" fears that his clients will be executed at any time. According to Pink News UK.com, Nemat Safavi, Mehdi P and Moshen G. have been on death row for three years, and all three allegedly committed their so-called "crimes" while each was under the age of 18.

According to Human Rights Watch, Iran has the highest rate of juvenile offender executions of any other country in the world.  This is a blatant  violation of International Law, which forbids the execution of juvenile offenders under any circumstances.  Under Iranian law, homosexuality is punishable by death so long as both the active and passive partners are mature, of sound mind, and have acted of free will.

Mehdi P and Moshen G denied the charges against them and no witnesses were found. Safavi was arrested at the age of 16 in 2006 and tried by a court in Ardebil, where he is being held.  His trial was nothing more than a farce, however, since Iranian law also requires the accused to confess four times, Safavi never confessed but was nonetheless convicted.

Sarah Leah Whitson of HRW said,

"Killing people for what they did as children is wrong and repellent, and killing them for alleged homosexual conduct is just as wrong and repellent. The Iranian government has flouted its most basic human rights obligations in allowing these cruel death sentences."

The imprisonment and pending executions of the three men has outraged people all across the globe, particularly in the United Kingdom.  Commenters have pointed the finger at Tony Blair (whose name is in the hat for President of the EU)  for not doing more to stop the executions. 

"Vile murdering theocracy," said one commenter.  "Where are the 'moderate pluralist British Muslims' who should be loudly condemning this?  Too busy moaning about "Islamaphobia".  Human Rights and true injustices done in their name are of no consequence to them. Religion, all religions ultimately (and unfortunately), are in the business of undermining human rights to allow them supremacy over the masses, they don't really care that something like this can happen."

Another commenter said, "Sadly, we are dealing with a medieval mentality. Again showing that religion has no compassion. It is an evil regime masquerading as God.  Five hundred years ago we burned people at the stake. I hope it doesn't take as long for Iran to mature and come to its senses. The thought of executing a human being of any age for being gay fills me with horror and disgust."

The last time Iran executed a young man for homosexuality was October 6, 2009.  According to Joe.My.God, Rahi Rahammadi was put to death, even though his attorney said there was inadequate evidence to prove the allegations against him.  However, the court decided that once a person is convicted of a homosexual act, he must be executed.

There is an organization called the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR), headquartered in Toronto, and modeled after the Underground Railroad during the American Civil War to free slaves. However, IRQR has been criticized because European cities are reluctant to grant asylum-seekers' applications, because they believe (erroneously) that the men seeking asylum are not in life-threatening situations. 

Click "Subscribe" above to have articles emailed to you.  Your email address will never be shared with a third party.

For all things LGBT-related, visit my Home Page.