Gay Men Shouldn't be Deported Back to Iraq

by Michael Jones · 2009-08-20 09:04:00 UTC
Topics:

Iraqi Flag

Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch released a graphic and tragic report documenting the massive human rights abuses faced by LGBT people, particularly gay men, in Iraq.  The report documented rape, assault, and executions, and painted a bleak picture that made it seem like a concerted effort was underway in Iraq to purge the country of homosexuality.

Given this account, as well as other horror stories coming out of Iraq, one wonders why the United Kingdom (or any country for that matter) would consider sending a gay man back into Iraq, instead of granting them asylum.

The UK is currently debating the question, with a member of Parliament (MP), Sarah Teather, saying that the UK should do everything in its power to prevent LGBT people from being sent back to a place where they stand a very good chance of being tortured and/or executed.  Teather specifically referenced one individual who lives in her district, and who was scheduled to be deported this coming February back to the country.

Though this individual has been granted a judicial stay, UK Immigration officials said in originally calling for his deportation that "Even if your client's homosexuality were to be established, it is viewed that it would be possible for your client to conduct such relationships in private on his return to Iraq. This would allow your client to express his sexuality, albeit in a more limited way than he could do elsewhere."

That's a ridiculous statement right there.  Gay men in Iraq, or even those perceived to be gay, are being rounded up, murdered, with their bodies mangled and thrown in ditches by the roadside.  And that's one of the least graphic scenarios.  For the UK to suggest that someone could hide their homosexuality in an environment like Iraq is not only inconceivable, it's preposterous.

As Teather said, no country that willingly deports LGBT people back to Iraq can say they value human rights.  Instead, they're essentially issuing death sentences for immigrants.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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