Marking the first anniversary of the hanging of two gay teenage boys in Iran Green MEP Jean Lambert spoke out in anger against Iran’s homophobic persecution.
Jean, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights supported the 24 global protests organised as part of the international day of action against Iran’s execution of gay people and children.
Jean Lambert MEP said she was extremely disturbed by such brutal acts and commented; "Everyone should be granted their basic human rights, including the ability to express their own sexuality. The horrific events in Iran however are forbidding this completely and it is vital that we do all we can to protect those in danger and grant them the freedom they deserve.
"The publicised executions of gay people in Iran seem to evolve into a media circus where the supposed crimes are exaggerated to ensure the public support the authorities and as in so many cases, it becomes an uphill struggle for the accused to get the truth of their case heard.
"We know of a number of other countries, not just Iran, where a homophobic culture is supported and promoted and continues to threaten the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender citizens. Although the protests today carry a universal demand on Iran to ‘Stop Killing Gays! Stop Killing Kids!’ we also ask the British Government to halt the deportations of Iranian asylum seekers whose lives would be at risk if they returned. "
The 24 protests took place in a variety of cities around the world including; London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Chicago, Frankfurt and New York.