Surprised there isn't already a thread, Kiana Firouz, Iranian, Lesbian being refused asylum

[Ewe]

I have been in a bit of a revision bubble so only just picked up this shocking story. It doesn't appear to have been reported in mainstream press but here are some links to blogs and websites that are carrying the story.

The F Word

Another article

Seem to be a few doubts about the story but the second link looks like it has done some digging and authenticated it.

Let's assume it's true, how can the government justify not granting asylum? I'll hold my hands up and say I have absolutely NO understanding how this works in real/practical terms.

Perhaps I should have posted in the Feminism topic.

An Iranian lesbian? She's more likely to get a cruise missile through her window from UK politicians than asylum...

...and the MN types seem to think feminism ends at Dover. They weren't really into troublesome concepts like that when they were voting for the people who helped kill 1.5mn Iraqis and 1mn Afghanis.

Better dead than not-able-to-shop-at-Waitrose is more the mantra here.

I assume there must be guidelines in terms of how the process works.

Hopefully on appeal they will change the decision, it seems barbaric to force her back to a country where the best outcome is 100 lashes and the worst is death.

I think I would have had more sympathy if she hadn't made the film. I am all for people standing up for their beliefs, but in this case she has gone out of her way to produce something she KNOWS will get her into serious trouble in Iran and then expects protection from the UK. I expect a heavy flaming for thinking this though.....

I agree with portofino.

I've signed the petition

I think she knew what she was doing when she came here to make the film rather than making it in her own country. I think she thought she could stick two fingers up at them and that she would be protected here.

Had she legitimately emigrated here to live freey as a lesbian and then been ordered back it would be one thing, but she chose to hold on to her nationality and still is claiming protection because of her sexuality.

She's not escaping from her country because of persicution, she knew when she left that if she went back she would be prosicuted, yet she left and made the film anyway.

She's not much of an activist if she's not prepared to protest in her own country. The only way people have historically changed attitudes is to stand up against them, and clearly she's not really prepared to do that, understandable perhaps.

And apart from that, where do we draw the line? Do we give asylum to every gay and lesbian whose country does not permit homosexual relationships (and there are many such countries)? We do not have unlimited space to accommodate everyone who lives in a country where the laws are unfair by our standards and the punishments are harsh.

well said Wannabe

Applauds wannabe.

The film is a red herring.

Even before she made the film she was being persecuted in Iran. If she had not made the films she would still be in danger if she were to be deported because she is a lesbian.

Do we really think that it is acceptable to refuse asylum because she spoke out against a regime of tyranny? Merely because she made the film in UK instead of making it in Iran (which would have been impossible).

Why should refugees not be able to draw attention to the plights of those unable to escape their home country?

What MmeLindt said.

But every lesbian living in a country where homosexuality is illegal runs the risk of being caught. It's just not possible to offer refugee status to them all.

This woman essentially offered herself up on a plate knowing what the consequences would be.

Coming from me this is strange, because I don't agree with many MNs in particular Leningrad. I think she should be allowed to stay, I feel whatever the reason for making the film outside of her own country, she has put herself in a lot of danger. It is obvious she will be punished and perhaps later 'got rid of'. Plenty of people come here with £5 in their pocket and manage to stay, why not a woman in danger? I fear the Home Office does not want to start a precedent and allow a person to stay, simply because she's a lesbian, as many countrties, world wide frown on homosexuals and lesbians, and some execute them. On the other hand perhaps she made made the film, knowing it would put her in peril in Iran, and expected to be granted asylum. So it's a tricky one.