New York -- Amnesty International has called on its members worldwide to appeal to Iranian authorities on behalf of 17 men who are reportedly being held for "homosexual conduct." The men were severely beaten when they were dragged from a private party by police, and may have been tortured in prison, according to reports.
The offense of "homosexual conduct" is punishable by death or flogging in Iran. The men were among 87 people reportedly arrested at the party in Esfahan province in central Iran on May 10; the others have been released, apparently on bail, and are likely to face prosecution in the future.
Those still detained are believed to have been wearing clothes generally associated with women at the time of their arrest. They are not believed to have had access to lawyers or family members, and a judge has reportedly said that those still detained will be charged with consumption of alcohol and "homosexual conduct."
Amnesty International is not aware of any evidence that the men attending the party identify themselves as gay or were engaging in same-sex sexual relations. Their arrests were made at a time when the Iranian authorities have been mounting a security operation to enforce dress codes in Iran.
Eyewitnesses to the arrest have reportedly described how those attending the party were dragged into the street by police and members of the Basij force (volunteer paramilitary units attached to the Revolutionary Guards Corps), who beat them severely, causing broken bones, in some cases. It is not known if those detained have been allowed access to medical treatment. Amnesty International is concerned that the men may be held because of what they were wearing at the time of their arrest, in light of the fact that the others arrested have since been released. If this is the case, then they are prisoners of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The arrests have come in the context of an annual crackdown on "immoral behavior" in Iran, which began in April. Police are reported to have stopped thousands of people in the street, and to have required many of them to sign statements committing themselves to observe the official dress code in Iran, which prescribes what is regarded as acceptable attire for men and for women. More than 130 people are reportedly facing prosecution either for refusing to comply with the police demands or for breaching the official dress code.
Men convicted of homosexual sex face the death penalty or flogging, depending on the particular act. Women convicted of lesbian sex face flogging or, after conviction for a fourth time, the death penalty. Consumption of alcohol in Iran carries a penalty of one hundred lashes, or, after conviction for a third time, the death penalty.
Amnesty International opposes the criminalization of consensual adult sexual relations conducted in private and urges the Iranian authorities to urgently review law and practice to ensure that no one can be prosecuted for such reasons.
Amnesty International is also opposed to flogging and other judicial corporal punishments which constitute torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. The organization is unconditionally opposed to the use of the death penalty.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212/633-4150
Preveiously:
IRQO (IRanian Queer Organization) reports that 80 young men who were arrested at a party are under severe torture and pressure by Iranian authorities while they have not been officially charged yet.
Homosexuality is punishable by death under the Islamic Republic law, this was apparent in the case of Iranian teenagers Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni (pictured) who believed they have done nothing wrong when they were caught together. Further information can be found on the IRQO
website.
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UPDATE 1: The Iranian Regime arrested 17 gay men at a party in Isfahan this month.The men were beaten and thrown in prison.
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ABF, for the promotion of human rights and democracy in Iran
