(no subject)

[morgan_dhu]

From wolfinthewood (her post is here):

The British government has refused asylum to Pegah Emambakhsh, an Iranian refugee who fled Iran two years ago following the arrest, torture and sentencing to death of her partner. Ms. Emambakhsh is a lesbian, and under Iranian law, she too could be tortured and killed if she returns to Iran.

British authorities plan to ship her back to meet this fate on Tuesday morning, unless something happens to make them realise just how much of a human rights abuse they are about to commit.

Brits can follow the above link to information on who to contact and how. It probably won't hurt if nationals from other countries make presentations to the British governemnt on her behalf as well.

Anyone living in a country where government persecution of gays and lesbians is considered an abuse of civil rights might consider contacting their government to urge that it protest the British government's treatment of Ms. Emambakhsh through diplomatic channels. For Canadians interested in doing so, here are the contacts I sent email to (for whatever good it will do):
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Bernier, Bernier.M@parl.gc.ca
Liberal foreign affairs critic, Ujjal Dosanjh, Dosanjh.U@parl.gc.ca

Comments

[rainbow-goddess.livejournal.com]

The good news is, she has been offered asylum in Italy.

"Italy is prepared to grant asylum to Pegah Emambakhsh, an Iranian lesbian who faces deportation from Britain who fears being stoned to death once she returns to Iran, the justice minister said yesterday.

"Justice Minister Clemente Masella said the Italian government is "fully available" to guarantee refugee status to Pegah if Britain deports her.

Yesterday in London, Pegah's supporters said her deportation has been deferred pending a legal challenge.

Pegah, 40, was arrested in Sheffield, northern England, earlier this month after being refused asylum following her arrival there in 2005. She is being held in a detention centre and had been due to be deported on Monday."

Does not excuse Britain's treatment of her at all, but at least she has somewhere safe to go.

[wolfinthewood.livejournal.com]

Asylum in Italy - As I understand it, it is not yet clear whether our government would necessarily agree to deport her to Italy rather than put her on a plane to Iran. There is still a need to keep up the pressure! (And besides, for all kinds of reasons, the British govt needs to be made to conform to its obligations under human rights legislation.)

Update

[wolfinthewood.livejournal.com]

I heard by email this evening that all current deportation orders against Pegah Emambakhsh have been lifted.