Britain needs consistent, humane policies on asylum seekers fleeing torture

11.31.00am GMT Fri 7th Mar 2008

Lib Dem party president, Simon Hughes MP

Writing for today's Independent, Lib Dem party president Simon Hughes MP condemns the UK immigration policy of sending bisexual, lesbian and gay asylum seekers back to Iran.

He says, "the Home Office claims that a gay person can return to Iran and avoid persecution by being "discreet". All the advice is that in Iran, to be discreet means that you would have to deny your identity. The punishment for giving in to personal feelings might well be nothing less than torture or death. This is clearly a form of discrimination and a serious breach of his human rights. It must now be clear to the Home Office that it is wrong to send back gay and lesbian people to Iran (or any other country with similar laws and practice) where all the evidence shows they will be persecuted."

Related Link:

Independent piece.