Mehdi Kazemi: An Update

Following Simon Hughes’ public declaration of support, other major public figures have started to turn on the government in support of gay Iranian asylum seeker Mehdi Kazemi. David Steel, Paddy Ashdown, Betty Boothroyd and over sixty other peers have sent a letter to Jacqui Smith demanding that she think again about Mehdi’s deportation to a near certain death.

At the same time Michael Cashman, one of only two out gay MEPs tabled a resolution in the European Parliament for debate, insisting that EU asylum law was to be applied by member states on an individual case basis, and that persecution for sexual orientation should be automatic grounds to grant asylum. It was passed with 46 in favour, 2 against and 12 absentions, and resulted in the Parliament and the Commission speaking with one voice, in opposition to the British government.

Philip Hensher questions whether Mehdi’s initial denial of asylum was down to a fear of setting a precedent – opening the floodgates if you will. Either that or it was down to deep rooted homophobic attitudes in the Borders and Immigration Agency. And Peter Tatchell maintains that it’s also asylum policy used as a blunt instrument – just getting asylum seekers out of the country by any means possible to get the numbers down, in order to look good to the right wing press and to the government’s political opposition. By cutting legal aid which solicitors need in order to put a proper asylum case forward, Tatchell argues that the government has rigged the system against bogus and genuine asylum seekers alike, and guaranteed their failure. Of course he’s also right in pointing out Britain is in clear default of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

And now Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has relented, at least to the point of saying Mehdi’s case would be reconsidered when he’s deported back here from Holland. How very generous of her – doing so only after attacks by the European Union, other European nations, the political opposition and thousands of complaints by gay and straight people worldwide. Mehdi’s lawyer is quite right in expressing only cautious optimism – after all a decision has yet to be made in his favour (which would have been automatic in the Netherlands).

The demonstration in support of Mehdi’s claim for asylum is still going ahead on the 22nd March at 2pm on Whitehall, opposite Downing Street. Be there. This government has to be reminded we’re watching them and won’t get fobbed off – Smith’s gesture doesn’t suggest any of the underlying problems in the system have changed at all.