Gays seek invitiation to Khatami forum / Peaceful protest urged

This media release was issued by the Australian Coalition for Equality on 18.3.09.

Gay rights advocates have written to Melbourne Anglican Archbishop, Philip Freier, seeking an invitation to a controversial function for former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami which Freier will host in Melbourne later this month.

Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said international human rights groups have documented many arrests, floggings, prison terms and executions under Iran's draconian laws against homosexuality.

"If Archbishop Freier's invitation to persecuted minorities like Jews, Christians and Baha'i is sincere, he will extend it to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups", Mr Croome said.

"We want to ask Mohammad Khatami whether he supports the persecution and execution of homosexuals, and what, if anything, will bring the harassment and killing to an end."

Mr Croome encouraged human rights supporters to peacefully protest Mr Khatami's visit to Melbourne.

"The Iranian government has the blood of innocent same-sex partners on its hands and must be held to account."

Following a controversial address at Columbia University in the United States in 2007 the current Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said that there are no homosexuals in Iran.

The statement prompted an angry response from human rights groups and gay Iranian refugees who claim systematic anti-gay persecution by the Iranian Government.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Corey Irlam on 0401 738 996.