■ Giusto Catania MEP:  “... serious violation of human rights and international conventions and bring shame not only on a country like Great Britain but also on the European Union as a whole.” photo: European Parliament

BRUSSELS, August 30, 2007  –  The president of the European Parliament, Hans Gert Pöettering, has agreed to take up the case of Pegah Emambakhsh, the Iranian lesbian who risks expulsion from the United Kingdom to Iran.

Following a proposal by Italian MEP Giusto Catania (PRC), representing the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Group in the European Parliament made during today’s Conference of Presidents, Mr Pöettering is to write directly to Prime Minister Tony Brown.

The proposal was backed by Graham Watson, the president of the Liberal group in the European Parliament.

The British Home Office has refused to accept Ms. Emambakhsh’s asylum application.

“[She] risks physical violence and torture, and without doubt losing her life, because of London’s refusal to grant her the status of political refugee on grounds of “sexual discrimination”, the GUE/NGL group said in a statement this evening.

Mr. Catania added: “Pöettering has the task of explaining to Gordon Brown that Pegah’s expulsion to Iran would constitute a serious violation of human rights and international conventions and bring shame not only on a country like Great Britain but also on the European Union as a whole.

“I suggested to the President that he indicate Italy’s willingness to welcome Pegah, who is not guilty of any crime.  We strongly support Pegah and I am sure that all European parliamentarians will continue to follow her case very closely,” the Italian MEP added.

SEE ALSO

Pink Panthers in Paris Support Iranian Lesbian Facing Deportation from UK.  The Panthères Roses of Paris (Pink Panthers) have weighed-in with support for Pegah Emambackhsh, the Iranian lesbian who is facing deportation from the UK back to Iran.   (UK Gay News, August 28, 2007)

International Gay Human Rights Group “Troubled” At Planned Deportation of Iranian Lesbian From UK.  A leading American gay and lesbian human rights group has joined the world-wide campaign to stop the deportation by the British Government of Pegah Emambakhsh, the 40-years-old Iranian lesbian back to her home country.  (UK Gay News, August 28, 2007)

 Lesbian Iranian Asylum Seeker: British Govt. Dithers Over Possible Deportation, Italy Acts.  Gay News ran the headline “Ashamed To Be British” on an article about how a gay Algerian was treated over an asylum application.  Two years on, nothing has changed when it comes to the case of Pegah Emambakhsh, the 40-years-old gay Iranian woman who is languishing in Yarls Wood Detention Centre near Bedford facing deportation – and who knows what when she arrives in Tehran.  But it’s a different story in Italy.  (UK Gay News, August 26, 2007)

Gays Worldwide Rally to Aid Iranian Lesbian Facing Deportation from UK.  A last-ditch attempt to stop the deportation early next week to Tehran of a 40-years-old lesbian has been mounted by her supporters in Sheffield.  But already activists around the world are campaigning against the deportation.  (UK Gay News, August 23, 2007)

Gay Iranian Woman Gets ‘Stay’ On UK Deportation Order.   A gay Iranian woman came within minutes of being put onto a non-stop flight to Tehran at Heathrow this evening as the UK Government’s Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) – part of the Home Office – went through the final process of deportation. (UK Gay News, August 16, 2007)

ALSO

“All This Torture Just For Being a Lesbian”.  An interview with an Iranian lesbian who fled to Europe: "I am a lesbian.  For this reason I was arrested countless times.  I went to prison and ultimately sentenced to death [by hanging].  I remember the first time I was arrested; I was 21 and a student in Esfahan."  (UK Gay News, June 26, 2007)