13.11.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Homosexuals deserve to be executed or tortured and possibly both, an Iranian leader told British MPs during a private meeting at a peace conference ("Gays should be hanged, says Iranian minister") [ID 22073]

Document(s): Open document

10.09.2007 - Source: Federal Government (Germany)

Deterioration of human rights situation since Mahmud Ahmadinejad assumed office in 2005; details on death penalty and corporal punishment (response to parliamentary query, in German) ("Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen - BT-Drs. 16/6336") [ID 22410]

"Im Zusammenhang mit der jüngsten Hinrichtungswelle war lediglich in einer einzelnen Pressemeldung von Homosexualität („lavat“) die Rede.

Nach Erkenntnissen der Bundesregierung steht der Tatbestand der Homosexualität jedoch nicht im Zentrum der Vorwürfe, die gegen die von der aktuellen Repressionswelle im Iran Betroffenen erhoben werden. Der Vorwurf der Gefährdung der nationalen Sicherheit kommt dagegen häufig zur Anwendung.

Es ist im Iran allerdings nicht ungewöhnlich, dass Homosexualität oder sexuelle Vergehen in die Liste der Straftatbestände aufgenommen werden, um die „verwerfliche Motivation“ des Täters zu unterstreichen."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Law prohibits and punishes homosexuality ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21111]

"The law prohibits and punishes homosexuality; sodomy between consenting adults is a capital crime. The punishment of a non-Muslim homosexual is harsher if the homosexual's partner is Muslim. In July 2005 two teenage boys, one 16 and one 18 years of age, were publicly executed; they were charged with raping a 13-year-old boy. A number of groups outside the country alleged the two were executed for homosexuality; however, because of the lack of transparency in the court system, there was no concrete information.

In November 2005 domestic conservative press reported that two men in their twenties were hanged in public for lavat (defined as sexual acts between men). The article also said they had a criminal past, including kidnapping and rape. It was not possible to judge whether these men were executed for homosexuality or other crimes.
"

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Man sentenced to 100 lashes for homosexual activities ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18894]

"A man from Shiraz sentenced to 100 lashes in 2004 for homosexual activities alleged that he had been tortured and threatened with death by security forces."

Document(s): Open document

01.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Allegations of anti-homosexual campaign after execution of 2 males in July and alleged execution of 2 more men because they are gay; actual charges rarely have connection with reality ("Iran: Is There An Anti-Homosexual Campaign?") [#36130], [ID 8985]

Document(s): Open document

25.07.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Khorasan: 2 gay teenagers executed in Mashad on charges of homosexuality; prior to executions, teenagers were held in prison for 14 months and severely beaten ("Activists condemn execution of gay teens") [#34431], [ID 8986]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Homosexuality ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525], [ID 8987]

"[...]The law prohibits and punishes homosexuality. The punishment of a non-Muslim homosexual is harsher if the homosexual's partner is Muslim. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

01.2002 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR: Homosexuality is punishable under Iranian law ("Stellungnahme zur Verfolgungssituation Homosexueller (German, .tif-document contains English attachments)") [#5616], [ID 8989]

"Homosexuelle Handlungen sind in der Islamischen Republik Iran generell verboten und unterliegen einem strengen Strafregime. Art. 110 des iranischen StGB sieht für den Sexualverkehr zwischen Männern sogar die Hinrichtung vor. Auch andere homosexuelle Handlungen werden nach dem iranischen StGB bestraft: Art. 121 des iranischen StGB setzt eine Strafe von 100 Peitschenhieben für beischlafähnliche Handlungen fest. Wird ein Mann dreimal gemäß dieses Artikels verurteilt und jedesmal die Strafe ausgeführt, so wird beim vierten Mal die Hinrichtung verhängt (Art. 122 iranisches StGB). Liegen weiterhin zwei nicht blutsverwandte Männer ohne Notwendigkeit nackt unter einer Decke, so sieht Art. 123 des iranischen StGB eine Bestrafung von bis zu 99 Peitschenhieben vor. Ein Mann, der einen anderen aus Leidenschaft küsst, wird laut Art. 124 des iranischen StGB mit 60 Peitschenhieben bestraft.

Strafen für lesbische Handlungen sind in Art. 127 bis 134 des iranischen StGB getrennt festgelegt. Art. 129 des iranischen StGB legt für „Homosexualität zweier Frauen durch Genitalien“ (Art. 127 iranisches StGB) 100 Peitschenhiebe fest. Falls solche Handlungen dreimal gemäß Art. 129 des iranischen StGB verurteilt werden und jedesmal die Strafe ausgeführt wird, so wird beim vierten Mal die Hinrichtung verhängt. Weiterhin sieht Art. 134 iranisches StGB eine Bestrafung von „weniger als 100 Peitschenhieben“ vor, falls zwei nicht blutsverwandte Frauen ohne Notwendigkeit nackt unter einer Decke liegen. Kommt es dreimal zu einer Verurteilung nach Art. 134 iranisches StGB und jedesmal zu einer Ausführung der Strafe, so wird beim vierten Mal eine Strafe von 100 Peitschenhieben verhängt.

Art. 114 bis 126 des iranischen StGB regeln die Beweislastführung für homosexuelle Handlungen. Demnach gelten homosexuelle Handlungen als bewiesen, wenn entweder ein viermaliges Geständnis vor dem Richter abgelegt wird (Art. 114 des iranischen StGB), Zeugenaussagen von vier unbescholtenen Männern vorliegen (Art. 117 des iranischen StGB) oder durch Heranziehen des eigenen Richterwissens (Art. 119 des iranischen StGB).

Laut Art. 110 des iranischen StGB entscheidet der Richter, wie die Hinrichtung durchzuführen ist. In diesem Zusammenhang möchte unser Amt auf den jüngsten Bericht des Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights für Iran, Maurice Copithorne, verweisen. So macht Maurice Copithorne auf beunruhigende Berichte von „besonders barbarischen“ Formen der Hinrichtungen, wie z.B. das Köpfen oder die Steinigung aufmerksam . Tod durch Steinigung, die laut seinem Bericht als Hinrichtungsform zu schwinden schien, wird nach Aussage von Maurice Copithorne scheinbar wieder praktiziert. Auch wird weiterhin in seinem Bericht über öffentliche Auspeitschungen berichtet."

Document(s): 1510irn.tif
Open document

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

ACCORD: Sex changes are permitted in Iran and operations are frequently and openly carried out ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661], [ID 8990]

"Although homosexuality is never spoken about and thus a hidden issue, in practice it is
not difficult to encounter homosexuals in Iran. There are special parks in Tehran, known as homosexual meeting places. There are also a large number of transvestites walking
around in North Tehran. Furthermore, sex changes are permitted in Iran and operations
are frequently and openly carried out. A different sexual orientation may, however,
create problems. Still, homosexuality is practised every day, and as long as this
happens behind closed doors within your own four walls, and as long as people do not
intend to proselytize 'transvestitism' or homosexuality, they will most likely remain
unharmed.
Again the issue of expression versus persecution has to be raised. Amnesty
International Japan deals with the case of a young man who claims that because he is
homosexual he should not be sent back to Iran. He was not subject to human rights
violations prior to his departure from Iran but according to Amnesty International would
be if he were to express his gayness openly after returning to Iran. The Japanese
authorities have disagreed with this assessment. Most likely, however, if the concerned
individual tried to conceal his sexual orientation in public, he would not be at risk.
From a legal point of view it is important to take a look at Iranian law (the Islamic
Punishment Act), which carries the following provisions for homosexual acts:
Art. 110: The prescribed punishment for homosexual relations in case of intercourse is
execution and the mode of the execution is at the discretion of the religious judge.
Art. 111: Homosexual intercourse leads to execution provided that both the active and
the passive party are of age, sane and consenting.
Art. 112: Where a person of age commits homosexual intercourse with an adolescent,
the active party shall be executed and the passive party, if he has not been reluctant,
shall receive a flogging of up to 74 lashes.
Art. 113: Where an adolescent commits homosexual intercourse with another
adolescent, they shall receive a flogging of up to 74 strokes of the whip unless one of
them has been reluctant.
Art. 114 to 126 establish how to prove homosexual intercourse.
Art. 127 to 134 relate to lesbian sexual relations. Punishment for sexual intercourse
among lesbians is 100 lashes and in case of recidivity (3 times) execution.
So far, UNHCR has not been able to trace any cases of execution only on the grounds
of homosexual relations. In fact, the burden of proof is quite high and it would be difficult
to prove homosexual liaisons or intercourse. According to some reports in local papers
there have been instances of execution of homosexuals. It is not confirmed whether the
homosexual act alone led to execution or whether the person was accused on other
charges too.
However, jurisprudence, burden of proof notwithstanding, certainly has used
accusations of homosexuality. Furthermore, it does happen that homosexuality is
mentioned as one of the accusations amongst other offences held against the
defendant. For instance, accusations of homosexuality have been used in unfair trials,
such as the case of a Sunni leader in Shiraz in 1996/97, who was clearly prosecuted for
politically reasons. There have also been other political cases, although not in the recent
past.
In addition, there was the case of a woman who appeared in a pornographic film with
her face blackened out. Yet, it is hard to see how the witnesses can tell if it is the same
woman if the face is blackened out, as is usually the case in Iranian pornographic
publications. Nevertheless, she was prosecuted. Moreover, it raises the question of
denunciation and a number of issues concerning fair trial. If there were indeed four
witnesses, who had seen the film by actually having been there, it begs the question
what they were doing there and why they were not charged.
With regard to eligibility and claims based on persecution on grounds of homosexuality
the following elements need to be taken into account:
The fact that, irrespective of the standard/burden of proof, the sentence for
homosexuality is death is a very important element in any assessment. It would be
inappropriate to water down the existence of the death sentence with arguments of a
high burden of proof, relative tolerance or the fact that there is no systematic effort to
prosecute homosexuals.
The subjective element is essential. One should consider on a case by case basis how
intolerable it is for the asylum seeker not to be able to openly express his/her sexual
orientation, not only because of the social context but also because it is considered to
be against the law and punishable by death.
One should make a distinction between those who claim to have been active
homosexuals in Iran or have stated being active after their arrival in a host country. The
principle of refugee sur place should still apply, if the person determining eligibility does
not have a problem with the credibility of the asylum seeker.
If one were to recognize refugee claims of asylum seekers claiming persecution on
grounds of their sexual orientation, this would be for fear of persecution owing to
membership in a particular social group."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

01.10.2000 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Danish Immigration Service: The penalty for homosexuality in Iran is death by hanging ("Report on fact-finding mission to Iran; 9 - 17 September 2000") [#9593], [ID 8988]

"According to one source with a good knowledge of the Iranian judicial system, the penalty for
homosexuality in Iran is death by hanging. There is no minimum punishment. However, the source
stressed that the burden of proof is heavy. In order for sentencing to take place, the homosexual act
must be testified to in court by four persons who witnessed the act, or else both of the persons
involved must confess to the relationship. A government source added that cases relating to
homosexuality are extremely difficult to prove. A Western embassy confirmed that the burden of
proof is heavy. Another Western embassy said that the authorities in the source's home country
attach great importance to the burden of proof when processing asylum applications from Iranian
citizens whose claims are based on homosexuality.
A Western embassy said it had never heard of cases relating solely to homosexuality. According to
the same source, however, a man who had been charged with 15 counts of indecent behaviour had
been executed the week before the delegation's arrival in Iran. He had also been found guilty of
raping a 12-year-old boy in his shop.According to a Western source familiar with the homosexual scene in Tehran, it had never heard of
cases being brought against homosexuals. The source thought that the homosexual community
would be aware of any cases being brought against persons solely on the grounds of their
homosexuality.
A source connected with a Western news agency thought that any cases brought against
homosexuals would not be brought to public attention. In view of that fact, the source could not
rule out the possibility that there might be cases where the charge relates to homosexuality. In that
connection, the source referred to a case in a military prison where a prisoner let slip to a warder
about a homosexual relationship he had had. The prisoner was subsequently sentenced to
100 lashes.
According to a government source, homosexuals do not experience any problems in Iranian society;
in other words, few cases relating to homosexuality have been brought before the Iranian courts.
However, according to a source with a good knowledge of the Iranian judicial system, many cases
concerning homosexuality have been brought before the Iranian courts. The source was unable to
provide further details of the cases in question. With regard to sentences passed in such cases, the
source could say only that the death penalty had been pronounced in several. The source added that
if a case was not fully substantiated, it was for the judge to decide on the punishment.
When the delegation asked why such cases were brought, the source replied that this was because
one of the parties involved in the homosexual relationship had contacted the courts.
According to a government source, a person cannot accuse himself. With regard to homosexuality,
this means that – in his opinion – if an Iranian citizen reveals himself to be a homosexual in a
Danish newspaper, nothing will happen to that person when he returns to Iran.
Several Western sources, including one embassy, said independently that homosexuals do not face
problems in Iran today. There are places where homosexuals meet. In that connection, two of the
Western sources mentioned that there are parks in Tehran which are meeting places for
homosexuals."

Document(s): Open document

11.1991 - Source:

UNHCR: Islamic Penal Law: Provisions regarding sodomy (homosexuality, lesbianism, pimping) ("UNHCR Reflex - Islamic Penal Law 1991 (extracts)") [ID 8991]

Document(s): UNHCR Reflex - Islamic Penal Law 1991 (extracts)