Secretary Rice Urged to Condemn Execution of Gay Iranian Teen

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NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-3278
E-mail: hrc [at] hrc.org
http://www.hrc.org
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For Immediate Release -- Friday, July 22, 2005

Contact: Steven Fisher | Phone: (202) 216-1547 | Cell: (202) 431-7608
Contact: Jay Smith Brown | Phone: (202) 216-1580 | Cell: (202) 716-1650


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

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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