Secretary Rice Urged to Condemn Execution of Gay Iranian Teens
“Atrocities committed by foreign governments against
all people must be condemned swiftly and forcefully by the world’s greatest
democracy,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese
Human
Rights Campaign, July 22, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Steven Fisher | Phone: (202) 216-1547 | Cell: (202) 431-7608
Contact: Jay Smith Brown | Phone: (202) 216-1580 | Cell: (202) 716-1650
WASHINGTON—The Human Rights
Campaign sent a letter today to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asking her
to condemn the recent execution of two gay teens in Iran as well as other
horrific human rights abuses against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
people across the globe. The text of the letter follows:
July 22, 2005
Dear Madam Secretary:
This week, the world learned of a horrific case of
brutality against two young Iranians. This crime warrants an immediate and
strong condemnation from the Department of State.
This week, two Iranian teenagers were hanged in a public
square after being tortured for 14 months, simply for being caught having
consensual sex. Pictures of their execution have been published in various
newspapers around the world and can be found at the following Internet link:
http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2005/07/iran_executes_2.html
Unfortunately, images like these are all too common in
parts of the world where gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals
are persecuted and treated with gross injustice by their governments. Just two
weeks ago, a Nigerian man was sentenced to be stoned to death for admitting
past sexual acts with men.
Atrocities committed by foreign governments against all
people must be condemned swiftly and forcefully by the world’s greatest
democracy. We urge you to do so.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was
signed by the UN General Assembly in 1948, declares that every human should be
guaranteed the fundamental right to life, liberty, and security of person and
every human should be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment. Tragically, this guarantee of basic human rights does
not exist for GLBT individuals in certain regions of the globe.
According to research done by organizations such as the
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and Amnesty
International, human rights abuses are perpetrated against the GLBT community
in all corners of the globe. As we have seen in recent weeks, the barbarous
punishments for sexual acts in these countries run contrary to the letter and
the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For
that reason, these acts must be condemned.
We hope you join us in our belief that every inhabitant
of this world, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, has the
inherent right to be free from human rights abuses, and will take action to
highlight these injustices and condemn those countries that commit such
inhumane acts.
Sincerely,
Joe Solmonese
President
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members
throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign
support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open,
honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
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