If a supposedly free country like GB is willing to send an innocent young man to his death because he is a homosexual, then this signals the beginning of the end of all freedom on the planet.

Ron Porter, Portland, Maine

The British Government have behaved despicably so far in this case ... washing their hands of the whole affair. I am ashamed to be British nowadays.

Write to your MPs at least.

Paul Clark, SOUTHAMPTON, Hampshire, UK

There are people fighting for human rights within Iran, but it is indeed perilous. I personally met with womens rights advocates from Iran at the UN's Womens Conference and heard first hand of what evils are being committed.

Fighting for freedom comes from both sides of the borders. Advocates inside Iran's borders need help from outside advocates to work with them. Being so high profile, this young man will be tortured, then executed the moment he steps foot in Iran.

At the UN, there are groups drafting policy with the goal of ensuring human rights for all. One in particular are the YOGYAKARTA PRINCIPLES. Governments don't always do the right thing, it often takes the voice of the people to remind them of what is right and just. Please visit www.yogyakartaprinciples.org to learn more, then find advocacy groups in your area that address human rights issues to support. You may also visit www.myspace.com/fsun_usa for links.

Apathy crushes everyone, your voice matters.

Constance Peak, Phillipsburg, NJ

Our wonderful Home Secretary and the Home Office must be off their absolute rockers. Not only are they about to impoverish and force out a number of thousand of Iraqi asylum seekers on the Alice in Wonderland grounds that various parts of Iraq are safe, but they refuse to open their eyes and see that this young Iranian man will be in extreme danger if forced back to Iran. Pandying to the knee-jerkism of parts of the right wing press, our glorious Home Office seems to be acting under instructions from the Home Secretary to obfuscate, to obstruct and to attempt to deny asylum to as many people as possible with absolutely no regard for the details of the case or the dangers these people will be subjected to.

All I can say is shame on the Home Secretary. Shame on the Home Office. We are being led by wilfully blind and wilfully ignorant politicans.

Russell Harris, London, London

Dear Joris,
Thank you for clarifying your comments. I'll admit, sometimes I get a little sensitive about my republicanism because of the bad rap we have been given in the news media. That being said, I've been praying that some decent country's leader has the heart to take this young man in. Every time I read about his plight I am in tears. The whole situation is apalling, and I simply can not believe that this poor young man faces a horrible death just because of his sexual preference. He's probably never hurt a fly in his life. I think we all need to keep pressure on our officials, regardless of what country you are from. Call them and email them. One of them has to listen.

Sue, Scranton, USA

Philip from Tunbridge Wells, how exactly do you not 'do' being gay?

A lot of the people commenting on here are an absolute disgrace. I wouldn't be so sure we can take the moral high ground over Iran with such pitiful displays of apathy and illogic.

How about one of you trade places with the poor bloke? It sounds like you would fit right in with the casual despotism over there.

mat, Berlin,

Response to Philip: Tunbridge Wells -

"Britain can't be the host state for everyone in the world that has difficulties back home.":

I think we can all agree that the very real possibility of being executed in your homeland merely because of your sexuality is a bit different than experiencing the 'difficulties' of, say, substandard living conditions or economic hardships in your place of origin.

Perhaps your point would be valid if he had no real reason to believe that the government of Iran had his name on file as a known homosexual. The fact that his former partner was executed and believed to be made to give the names of his sexual partners would surely be enough cause for an EU member state to give him a safe place to live, without fear of persecution. Isn't that, after all, a human right?

Or are human rights violations, in your opinion, just another thing that other people should deal with...just another 'difficulty' at home?

Danielle, Ascot, UK

This guy should stay here and be sent back to his death. Will this goverment have blood on its hands because they cannot see what awaits him should he go back. Yes we are letting people stay who try to blow up buildings and kill people yest nothing is done about sending them back.
We are a Christian Country so we should be welcoming people who are in danage of their life to stay here in this safe place. But is it a safe place with all the different people here.
I pray that he wins the right to stay. What is the church doing about it nothing I bet.

Brian Armstrong, London, UK

Mean while hundred of thousands of East Europeans every month unhindered.

Death by bureaucracy

dave, nottm, uk

This is to Philip of Tunbridge Wells.....the great possibility of being executed, I think, tends to surpass the definition of having "difficulties back home."

Kearby, houston, Texas

Dear Sue,

I wasn't implying that all republicans are homofobic, because I know they are not. I was just responding to Salinon who was expressing his dissapointment that the Netherlands didn't grant him assylum. At the same day Sally Kerns comments about gay people appeared in the dutch media and I merely wanted to say that before you point your finger you......well you know!
In a similar case a few months ago the Netherlands did grant asylum. The only difference being that that man had seeked asylum in the Netherlands first. As far as I'm concerned this guy could come to the Netherlands as well, but I don't make the European rules.
Anyway I think it's great that you're taking action!
I hope that more people will do that so that there will be a safe haven for him somewhere.

Joris, Woerden, The Netherlands

I'm an American, and I'm a conservative. Britain has a duty to give this young man asylum. He's done nothing to deserve execution, and Britain will have his blood on its hands if he's sent back to Iran to be butchered for simply wanting to live in freedom.

Keith , Richmond, VA USA

If England sends Mehdi Kazemi back to Iran he (will) be executed. In the eyes of the world and the entire gay population of this world Great Britain will be held responsible for his death and my love for England will die with him. James B. Elliget Northern Virginia USA

James B ELLIGET, Ammisville, Virginia USA

Joris,

I just wrote to my Senator on behalf of Mr. Kazemi. I will continue emailing representatives about this issue. I'm sure many other Americans have done so as well. Whether our representatives listen to us or not is another story. Oh, and by the way, I'm a REPUBLICAN! You are seriously lacking in knowledge. Republicans are not the homophobic, racist, heartless people you have been brainwashed to think we are! I personally believe that Great Britain should grant this young man assylum. If they do not, I pray that someone in the States, or someplace safe has the courage to stand up for this poor young man and grant him a safe country where he can live a long and healthy life.

Sue, Scranton, USA

For any udtae regardin Mehdi Kazemi, please visit www.everyonegroup.com. It's the website of the human rights' organization who's direclty following the case from the beginning. They're making an international campaign for Mehdi which is producing lots of great results!

andrea, genova, italy

It is upto the so called civilized nations of the world to decide whether to act in time to save a soul from the hands of primitive law makers or to swallow what they preach, so that tyrrany and oppression persist the same way as it happened during the STONE AGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vinod T G, New York, USA

Is England land of bigots?

Ed, US, Providence, RI, USA

This is not a gay issue. It is whether or not those of us who live in civilised societies are going to accept extremist religious views, whether it be gays in Iran or criminal presidents dropping bombs on Bhagdad. It's all the same.

We have to set an example whether it be for gay students or women in India being maimed with sulphuric acid.

IT IS absolutely our responsibility to participate in, and maintain the world.

Mark, Edinburgh, UK

Are some of you people serious? You would send this guy back to Iran to be killed because he might be a burden on your tax rolls? He might be a productive member of society who pays taxes and helps your burden, too. Dear, God, what is the world coming to when people are not ashamed to express thoughts like that? If that's your reasoning, you are no better than the Iranians who want to kill him. Shame, shame, shame on you....

Chris, Portsmouth, NH, USA

It's rather harsh on the boy, but the old adage "if you can't do the time, don't do the crime" applies here. Britain can't be the host state for everyone in the world that has difficulties back home. He has to go home and face the music.

Philip, Tunbridge Wells, EU

People of Great Britain dont feel bad because IRAN cant accept Gays. It is not your responsibility to maintain order in the world, at least that is what always gets us in trouble. The problem is IRAN but in this overly PC world we live in God forbidd anyone say anything bad about IRAN. Especially sine the US is the great satan anyways ;-)

joseph, Austin, TX

response to : Mark from Leeds - This guy is hardly joining the dole queue, he came to the UK to study, he will have paid for this education and received no benefits from the UK. You need to get your facts straight before making such comments.

He has the right to genuine asylum on fear of execution for a act not recognised as a crime by UK Government.

It would be nice if white British lazy layabouts, and Leeds has many would get of their backside and do a days work instead of claiming benefits.

Ben Rattigan, hartlepool, England

I, like anyone else do not want any more criminal or healthcare seeking immigrants to this country - I do however do want to see people who are being persecuted given a safe place to live. Iran has barbaric laws, and this man is in very serious danger if he returns. Gay men in Iran are sometimes having gender reassignment to avoid being murdered! That is how bad it is.

caroline, London, England

To those who want to condem him for being an asylum seeker - you ought to be ashamed of your views - it is our moral duty as a western democracy to protect those who cannot be protected in their own country.

I hope the next time you are in need someone's help, they refuse, as by your moral code, it would be nothing to do with them.

Also, with all these asylum / refugees etc. who come to this country in search of a better life, who do you think will pay for your pension when the population starts to age, and there are not enough young people to pay taxes/

Simon Albion, London, UK

Wow, some of these comments are truly disturbing in their level of hate and lack of compassion.

I agree with the other Yankee poster here. We expect this out of our hateful, homophobic regime here in American but we were under the impression that the English people had moved past all that.

From the looks of some of the awful comments I've read here, that is clearly not the case.

Hayden, Tampa, FL/USA

First of all this is not a national issue. This is not a political issue. This is a HUMAN RIGHTS issue. To base the decision concerning this case on what may or may not happen in the future as a result of this is not seeing the forest for the trees. Here in the U.S. we are swarming with immigrants, legal and illegal, and as much as it does tax our system, I should hope that in a situation such as this that our country would not send this boy to his death simply because of who and how he chooses to love. He had to go public with his homosexuality. He had no choice. Iran already knows about it. You can imagine the kind of torture his former boyfriend must have endured to extract the names of his contacts who are also probably dead except for this boy. And yes, he is a boy. He is still a teen. Why not conscript him in the armed forces so that he can fight the very tyranny that subjects so many others to this ancient insanity. Why don't they trust in "Allahs"ability to punish?

Valerie, Cincinnati, Ohio

What difference does it make wether he gets asylum in the UK or the netherlands.
What happens normally regarding the asylum application being applicable in the first safe country the asylum seeker lands in?
The UK seem to be the smart choice for asylum seekers worldwide.
I've no idea why?

rob, derby, uk

"it is not our responsibility to protect this individual."
joe, Edinburgh, Scotland

We are human beings joe and it is our responsability. And dont give me low moral standards either....
It is not the goverments job to deceide what we should like or dislike in bed. And it's certainly not up to you either.

JustMagic, Germany

steven, Saarland, germany

I cannot believe some of the comments about this article, I'm ashamed to be from the same country as some of you. To complain about him claiming benefits and his cost to you! He came here for the education system, not to get a free ride. I completely agree that the amount/type of people being let into our country needs to be seriously sorted out, but this is a mans life you're talking about; you can't just brush it off as 'not being our problem'.

Kate, Surrey,

I would like to think Britain is a compassionate country when circumstances like this arise. What happens in Iran regarding homosexuals is awful, but by sending this man back for the unjust consequences merits the same condemnation. I for one will be outraged if this decision is upheld.

Ross, London, UK

It is my understanding that Britain and EU countries will not extradite ANYONE to the US unless they are guaranteed the person will not be executed for their crimes.

Such a high standard for extraditing criminals, but none for this young man who faces certain death for his sexual orientation back home in Iran? You won't extradite a terrorist facing death for his crimes, but you would facilitate the murderous execution of a gay man? What is wrong with this picture?

If this happens, the blood will not only be on the hands of those who execute him in Iran. It will also be on the British government. Where are the LGBT orgs speaking out on this? Why the deafening silence?

JohnnyT, Nashua, NH USA

he should stay here where he is safe his partner was already hanged and thats what they will do to him keep the poor lad here !!!!!!!!!!

stuart, manchester, uk

Jacqui Smith and the Home Office, please do not send this man back to Iran. He should be granted asylum immediately.

Lauren, London, UK

Before the Home Office decided not to grant Mr Kazemi asylum, they should have considered, how Jesus Christ should judge. He never condemns the sinner. He only condemns the sin. See the story of the adulterous woman brought to Jesus by the Jews. Jesus wrote in the sand (most likely the sins of the sourrounding Jews) and said to them: "The one without sin can throw the first stone." As the government of Iran condemns sinners even not considering the sin they should condemn, the British Government (Home Office) should grant him asylum to protect him from becoming the victim of the Iranian Government who condemns sinners, rather than only the sin.

Tom Krosing, Wembley, England

The principles of living have been set in stone for centuries. It would be a wonderful world if we could all try to abide by them.

Mac, Bristol, England

Its about time we started getting tough.
Another one less on the dole queue pleading he's hard done by so he can milk my taxes.

Good bye!

Mark, Leeds, Yorkshire

This man is not being punished for being gay, he is being punished for Sodomy which is illegal in Iran. We cannot apply our very low moral standards to Iran and expect them to change their laws.

The other boy who was hanged was very young and even in this country Mehdi could be charged with sodomy based on the age of the other person.

It is not our responsibility to protect this individual.

joe, Edinburgh, Scotland

We can keep Sudanese murderers in the country in order to prevent their own country from dealing with them,but are happy to send a boy who only admits to being gay back to face possible execution. I am not gay and must admit to being somewhat anti gay but I do feel more and more ashamed of my own country's authorities.

B Phillips, Ashford,

It is clear thet there needs to be an international response to this growing problem.
"The Lancet' recently condemned the decision to deport an African HIV sufferer as the lack of healthcare in her home country was effectively a death sentence.
This is very sad, but the NHS and the British taxpayer cannot support every third-world AIDS victim or every Iranian boy with a crush on Brad Pitt.
As the number of Africans claiming to have been Zimbabwean to gain asylum has already shown us, once the pecedent has been set, the system is sadly prone to rampant abuse.

Paul, London,

Russell of NJ. Yes, over here WE do know better. Unfortunately however we tend to elect governments who know nothing, wish to learn nothing and listen to nobody. Don't expect to hear much common sense or humanity about this case from the British Government or the homophobic and xenophobic right-wing press which controls its attitudes.

eric campbell, harrogate, uk

The British have lost their marbles, just what are you people doing? Can you not refer this kid to Canada, is there no way we can salvage this travesty?

Jacques, Toronto, Canada

What a ridiculous immigration policy we have. So it's ok to hijack a plane in Afganistan and fly it to Stansted, during the reign of the taliban and be granted leave to remain in this country. But this young man has done nothing illegal in the UK will be returned to Iran to face certain death.

Shame on Iran and the UK Government!

Mike Conlon, London, UK

This physically makes me sick.

Again religion has took over the warped minds of the Iranian government. If only we didn't live in a simple minded world, there wouldn't be mindless killings like the ones that go on in Iran for being supposedly different.

I can't get my head around this cave man attitude of the Iranian government based on some cult stories made up years ago.

Lets hope these people grow up and get minds of their own instead of basing the lives on some silly book.

I really do hope the British government realise their mistake and step in and d something about this.

Until then Every gay person in Iran should admit to being gay. I mean they can't hang millions of people. I'd like to see what happens if they did.

letscottdown, Dundee, Scotland

This is not a uk problem. Refuse him entry and send him back to country by which he decided to enter this country. Next thing there will be 1 million Iranians on our doorstep all pretending to be homosexual and seeking asylum. This is the thin end of the wedge again 75th largest landmass 10th largest population why? Free education, free housing, free money, free healthcare is the only reason they want to come here

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

He needs to claim asylum in Liechtenstein!

Daniel, Paris, France

Salinon,

Since you live in the most gay "friendly" nation in the world (where republicans as Sally Kern say that gay people are a bigger danger than terrorism), why doesn't the USA take in this man. Sweden will not take in this man for the same reason as Holland can't, because under European law an asylumseeker can only be granted asylum in the first European country he has seeked it. Therefore in Europe he can only be granted asylum by Great-Britain.

Joris, Woerden, Holland

Please Britain, do the right thing here. I would expect Bush & his right wing cronies over here in the US to send him back, but you folks over there hopefully know better.

Russell, Oxford, NJ USA

If this young man returns to Britain and is then deported to Iran to be hanged, those people in our courts and imigration service will be as responsible for his murder as the Iranian authorities. In our parlament there are many gay MPs, Lords and aristocrats. there are many more who are mothers fathers brothers and sisters and friends of gay men. Those who have influence must use it.

Graham Hogg, Bristol,

I agree the man should be given asylum if he faces death. The difficulty is that it could create a situation where any Iranian claiming asylum will then claim to be gay. It can't be proved whether they are or not.

john, London, England

This young man has publicly admitted to being gay so there is no possibility that he can be 'discreet' on his return to Iran. There is absolutely no doubt that if he is sent back he will be executed. It is not only gay people that suffer in this dreadful country under their medieval laws and stone-age thinking. I hope this government shows compassion and mercy in dealing with this case. Anyone who has any interest in human rights should boycott anything and everything that emanates from Iran.

Roger, Cambs, UK

If English law considers that an individual has a right to free exercise of his/her sexual orientation, then it seems that England should consider the man deserving of protection by granting him asylum, because he will (apparently) be executed if returned to Iran, for who he is, his beliefs, his identify. Things couldn't be more "political" than that, now could they?

Mark In Irvine, Irvine, California, USA

But how could the british justice be so indulgent, understanding with Agusto Pinochet when faced to charges of genocide and now send this kid to face death because he likes boys?

Joaquín, Madrid, Spain

This young man's life is on the line.The reason there is no gays in Iran is because they are murdering them by the thousands.What does a civilized government do,How do you respond to a death sentence,What would you do if it was your son or daughter,brother,sister,father,or motherPlease do the right thing keep him from being hanged and murdered.Because that is what it is.Please being different should not lead to a persons death.The Nazis murdered thousands of JEWS,GYPSYS,GAYS,and many of the unfit people in society.My parents both fought in that war.Please make your decision to save his life.

Michael Travere , baton rouge,, la,usa

Can we Europeans be proud of our democratic structures if obvious cases like this one cannot be solved in a less bureaucratic and tortuous way? Didn't the young man already suffer enough for his terrible situation? Where are our humanitarian ideals, then?

Markus, Berlin, Germany

@C Roz:
Yeah send them back, obviously theres no value in life, stop playing the world leader farce, most of the 'refugees' in UK are thanks to 200 years of colonial gaffes. Fix it now. Throw them out.

I am more disappoint that the Dutch court did not grant the poor man asylum. I hoped that the Dutch would show their general humane side. I think he should try one of the Scandinavian countries, I bet Sweden would not have any problems in saving a life.

salinon, saint louis, USA

The size of this country and the amount of "refugee's" that connive to stay here cannot go on. We must make a stand they must be returned, why do their countrymen do this? should not their own kith and kin make a stand over there, why do we have to, I say it is time to be tough he should be sent back along with a few thousands more.

C Roz, Durham, UK

This man cannot return to Iran- we moan in this country about refugees taking jobs, etc...but this man is about to have his life taken from him. Is that just? Definitely not. You are either born straight or gay, you have no choice over the matter. The Iranian government need to realise this and stop living such backwards traditions.

Nicola, Carlisle,

It is high time we ditched the refugee treaty ...

We simply cannot defend everyone on earth if they annoy their local dictator / tyrant / crime syndicate / majority racial or religious group.

If this case is allowed then Gay Iranians will be guaranteed right to remain in the UK if they arrive here by any means and then "out" themselves.

Same applies to Russian Oligarchs ... Acquire a few billion, Make a few local enemies, buy a plane ticket to London, buy a house on Hampstead heath and retire in (relative) safety.

And Zimbabweans and Chinese dissidents ... The list is endless.

Pedro, Stratford,

I was a student in UK. I have seen many Iranian asylum seekers with fake cases who got asylum and remained in UK. But, surprisingly, this guy, which if the Iranian government would not hanged him before this situation (media and so on and so for...) surely they will hang him NOW when he comes back to Iran, cannot stay in a safe place! So, shame on the Iranian goverment and UK goverment!!!!!!!!???????

Arash, Shiraz, Iran

May I support Mr Tatchell in his Outrage that we could ever ,as a civilised society, let this poor man be returned to Iran.Common humanity will surely prevail .

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

So we can't send foreign prisoners back to their countries of origin in case they are harmed, however it is fine to send back someone who will most likely be killed.

Mr Greenaway, Manchester, UK

If theses facts are true, how on earth could this young man not be granted asylum??????
Shame on the Iranian goverment!!!!

Rob, Paris, France