Urgent: Stop the killing of 4 Iranian Men!

The prominent American activist Gary Virginia responded to the appeal launched by EveryOne Group for the lives of Vahid Akbari, Sahadat Arefi, Javid Akbari and Akbari Hushmand. Here is his letter to the institutions.

May 13, 2012

TO: Iran Government

With all due respect, we Americans who stand for equality and respect for ALL humanity, including the men and women of IRAN, request that you STOP the proposed hanging of four Iranian men: Vahid Akbari, Sahadat Arefi, Javid Akbari and Hushmand Akbari.

We do not feel they received a FAIR TRIAL and we feel this proposed action to kill your own brothers is not in agreement with the teachings of ISLAM, a religion that preaches PEACE, COMPASSION and LOVE.

For any innocent life taken, whether one is alleged to be homosexual or acting on their personal sexual orientation by birth, it is a MARK AGAINST YOUR OWN SOUL for taking a life. You did not CREATE LIFE and you do not have the RIGHT to KILL, especially by the brutal act of hanging.

We appeal to you to STOP this NOW! Deport the individuals if you feel necessary. But taking a life is never JUSTICE!

PLEASE, stop and consider your actions and where your hate or discomfort is coming from. Does it bring you joy or happiness to kill another? It is not justice. It is a deep hate for your own unhappiness and need to control others.

I pray for you to make an HONORABLE decision and STOP the proposed punishment of these four innocent men.

Thank you,

Mr. Gary Virginia

Amnesty International, Member

Human Rights Commission LGBT Advisory Committee, San Francisco, CA, USA (past service)

Executive Committee, Gays Without Borders/San Francisco, CA, USA

Past President, Positive Resource Center, CA, USA

American Civil Liberties Union, Northern CA, USA, Member

cc:

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights

European Union Commissioner for Human Rights