News update

The Dutch have blocked the transfer of Iranian gay teenager Mehdi to Heathrow because they did not trust the British authorities.

They have rules that stop gay deportations to Tehran. These have been hard-won, despite government efforts to undermine them (this also happened in Sweden).

Italians who protested Monday outside the UK's Rome Embassy are claiming this as their victory.

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News that various MEPs, following the publicity, have written to the Home Office about the scheduled deportation of nineteen year-old Iranian gay asylum seeker Seyed Mehdi Kazemi to Tehran— and almost certain behind-prison-walls execution.

This should save him and indicates that he hasn't already been deported (cross fingers). But the pressure still needs to be there. Whatever happens, until he has absolute right to stay the Home Office led by Ms Smith, going on past experience, will continue to attempt to deport him.

This is despite the fine statements on the Iranian human rights situation by Ms Smith's colleagues and - most notably - the stated position of the Foreign Office that Iran is a deathzone for gay men.

Please send Jacqui Smith a message - all the evidence is that this really does help save lives like those of this poor Iranian teenager.

I'm advised that these are the contact points:

• public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
• indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Smith MP's contact points are:

The Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP
House of Commons, Westminster,
London, SW1A 0AA
By Telephone and Fax :
01527 523355
By E mail
smithjj@parliament.uk

• More information on the case
• Video: Italians protest UK deportation of gay teen to Iran