Supporters of a Catholic Iranian man denied asylum in New Zealand say immigration authorities are hypocritical for letting another Iranian stay because of his sexuality. Ahmad Tahooni is gay, but when he arrived in New Zealand in 2000 he sought asylum on the grounds that he had been involved in student demonstrations in Iran and could face persecution if he returned. The Refugee Status Appeals Authority denied him asylum and rejected a subsequent appeal after he admitted he had lied about his political activities. In his second appeal Mr Tahooni, 39, said he was gay and feared returning to Iran, where homosexual activity is punishable by death. In December the authority found in his favour. Thomas Yadegary, also Iranian, moved to NZ in 1994 and converted to Catholicism. He was arrested in November 2004 and his application for refugee status was rejected. He has since been held in custody without charge. Mr Yadegary says Muslims who convert to Christianity face a potential death penalty in Iran, and he has refused to sign travel documents which would allow him to be deported. Dominican priest Father Peter Murnane, who has campaigned for Mr Yadegary's release, said yesterday that he was not taking issue with Mr Tahooni's sexuality, but felt the immigration authorities were using a double standard. Ref: NZPA (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 6th February 2007 - 12:00pm