Iranian Lesbian Who Escaped ,Possible Execution

http://www.gaysofla.com/content/view/251/1/

Pegah Emambakhsh, an Iranian lesbian, fled to Britain after her girlfriend was arrested and sentenced to death. The 40 year old may be forced to return to Iran and face death herself after losing her latest appeal for asylum.

Emambakhsh’s case comes only three days after Gaysofla reported on Mehdi Kazemi, a gay teenager who also faces deportation and fears he may be hanged because he is gay. His boyfriend has already been executed by the Iranian government.

Both cases have sparked international protest against the British Government and have led to calls for a moratorium on the deportation of gays and lesbian asylum-seekers that fear they will be persecuted in Iran.

According to gay rights groups there are more than two dozen other cases of lesbians and gays living in Britain that are seeking asylum for fear of harsh punishment or execution if deported to Iran.

Fearing for her life after her partner had been arrested by the authorities in Tehran, Emambakhsh escaped to the United Kingdom in 2005. Her partner remains in prison awaiting death by stoning. Speaking through her asylum representative yesterday, Ms Emambakhsh said: "I will never, never go back. If I do I know I will die."

Under the Iranian Islamic Punishment Act, lesbians found guilty of sexual relations can be sentenced to 100 lashes. But, for a third offence, the punishment is execution.

In turning down Ms Emambakhsh and Mr. Kazemi's asylum applications, the Home Office has said if Iranians are discreet about their homosexuality they will not be persecuted. But Omar Kuddus, of Gay Asylum UK, pleaded with the British authorities to follow the example of the Netherlands and Germany in imposing a moratorium on all deportations involving gay and lesbian Iranians. He asked: "How many more young Iranians have to die before the British Government takes action?"