Steven Milverton

In der Nacht vom 14. auf den 15.07.2008 erhielt ich von der IRQO diese Mail:

Dear Friends:

We are contacting you to request your assistance on a very urgent case involving 2 gay Iranians, Reza and Kamal.

http://www.irqo.net/IRQO/English/pages/145.htm

It is no secret that queer Iranians who flee to Turkey and other countries continue to face risks due to homophobia. This often results in depression and post traumatic stress symptoms. Reza and Kamal, a gay Iranian couple, fled Iran 2 whole years ago, but have still not received refugee status. The common complications that queer refugees experience are escalated for them because Kamal is seriously ill. Immediate attention by UNHCR is critical!

Please show your support by writing to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to urge them to expedite the refugee process for Reza and Kamal. There are 2 ways you can help:

1. You may copy and paste the sample letters in English into an email and send it to UNHCR; OR

2. You may write your own letter in support of Reza and Kamal.

Send your letters to Turan@unhcr.org and please cc IRQO info@irqo.net for tracking purposes. You can also fax letters to UNHCR at 0090-312-441-1738
ATTN: Legal Department. If you choose to fax your letter, please email a copy to info@irqo.net.

Thank you for your support.

Reza and Kamal’s Story

I, Reza, and my partner, Kamal, are 2 Iranian gay asylum seekers in Turkey. We have been waiting to complete our process for refugee status since December 9, 2006, and we have many problems. We fled Iran because of our lack of safety there. According to Iranian families, society and government, we could not
live together freely, as a couple, in Iran. We registered through the office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Ankara on December 12, 2006. The officers asked us to come back for legal interviews on September 6, 2007. We had to wait about ten months just for our legal interviews. Throughout this period, we had to pay all expenses, which was an additional problem for us. Now, ten months have passed since our legal interviews and we have still not received any answer from UNHCR.

Kamal is very sick. He has Diabetes Mellitus. Over the last few months, he has become worse than ever. He even has convulsions. His psychologist said stress and the effects of Kamal’s experiences in Turkey have had on him are causes of these hard convulsions. We are very connected and I now suffer from depression
because I cannot bear to see Kamal sick and helpless. Kamal also contracted hepatalgia and has cardiac problems. He has poor vision now. I contacted the UNHCR but they only tell me to “just wait.”

We forwarded our entire medical files to UNHCR. After about two years of inquiring persistently for updates by mail, phone, and fax and sometimes in person, we still have no status. We do not know what we should do. We fled Iran because we lacked security and yet, our life here, too, is at risk. Who will be responsible if we get in trouble here? If Kamal passes away, who will take this responsibility? I ask everybody help. We just want a normal life, the same as everybody else, but we are stuck here.

Sample Letter to UNHCR

To: Turan@unhcr.org

CC: info@irqo.net

To United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-Ankara:

This letter particularly concerns the cases of Reza and Kamal with file numbers 385-06C03012 and 385-06C03015, respectively. Reza and Kamal completed their legal interviews on September 6, 2007, and are currently waiting for the commissioner’s decision. We, as supporters of queer Iranians, urge the acceptance of their applications for refugee status, as there is every reason to suppose that their lives may depend upon it. We are concerned about their physical and emotional states in Turkey, and urge you to bring them relief
from the hard living conditions, which include unsanitary housing, lack of medical supplies and life expenses. Reza and Kamal are particularly affected because Kamal is seriously ill and needs urgent medical assistance.

We realize you have many refugee applicants that you must respond to. However, due to the exigent circumstances especially facing queer refugees, we urge you to assist Reza and Kamal, and grant them refugee status as soon as possible.

Your timely, informed and sensitive treatment of this case will be much appreciated.

Sincerely,

(Name)

Ich wollte daraus einen Post machen, war aber nicht schnell genug, denn bereits am 16.07.2008 teilte die IRQO mit:

Greetings from IRanian Queer Organization:

We have just been informed by Paulo Casaca of the European Parliament that United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has finalized Kamal’s case and officially recognized him as a refugee.
Additionally, we are told, Reza’s application for refugee status is due for final approval and should be concluded within the next few days. Below is Paulo’s letter to IRQO:

Dear friends:

I have been in touch with the UNHCR offices and the information I have received is as follows:

Both cases have been interviewed.

The case of Kamal (file number 06C3015) was finalized yesterday. He was recognized as a refugee under UNHCR’s Mandate and his file is being transferred to the resettlement unit. He will be notified on the decision in the coming days.

The case of Reza (file number 06C03012) is still under consideration. He has been interviewed and the Refugee Status Determination assessment is currently under review for final approval. UNHCR expects
to have a decision in the coming days.

I will keep you informed on any more information I receive.

Yours sincerely,

Paulo Casaca

This is wonderful news for Kamal and Reza especially; for IRQO; and for supporters and allies of all queer refugees.

In just a few days, UNHCR received a multitude of emails urging quick action on Kamal’s and Reza’s cases. This happy news is a testament to what international community support can help achieve.

We thank all who supported Kamal and Reza by writing to UNHCR for their quick action and assistance.

We also express great thanks to UNHCR for recognizing Kamal, and we have hope that the same will be done for Reza very soon.

There are more Iranian queer refugees who are still in the lengthy and complicated process toward refugee status that need a great deal of support and assistance. We hope to have your continued support with these applicants, and will contact you in the near future for further action.

Arsham Parsi

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IRanian Queer Organization – IRQO
PH4-150 Graydon Hall Drive
M3A 3B3, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
www.irqo.net

info@irqo.net
tel: 001-416-548-4171

Ich finde, dies ist ein sehr schöner Beleg dafür, dass es sich lohnt, sich für andere Menschen einzusetzen – durch einen Brief, eine eMail, ein Post, ein Fax!