Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 16:50:57 +0200 (MET DST)
From: skolander@bahnhof.se (Bjoern Skolander)

SWEDEN: Sensational Contents in Declassified Embassy Account

The Swedish government has declassified an account, dated May 8 1996, 
from the Swedish Embassy in Teheran concerning the situation in Iran 
for homosexuals. The contents of the account are sensational. For example,
the Embassy states that the Iranian society can be seen as relatively
tolerant towards homosexuals. It also compares the possibility to live a
discreet homosexual life i Iran favourably to that of doing so in Sweden.
The Embassy also declares that no homosexuals have been executed in Iran 
in the last few years, despite documentation from e.g. Amnesty 
International about several executions on grounds of homosexuality.
   
   Here is an unofficial translation of the account:

   "Re: Homosexuals in Iran
   Concerning the situation for homosexuals in Iran, theory and practice
differ dramatically. Officially and in theory homosexuality as well as
lesbianism is prohibited and, according to the current Iranian Penal Code,
punishable by death. The actual situationis, however, that homosexuals are
not actively persecuted. The situation for homosexuals is similar to that 
of the convertites - or even more favourable - in the sense that the risk
for legal proceedings or harassment is utterly minimal as long as a
homosexual relationship is handled in a discreet manner. The strict
regulations for submission of evidence, four male witnesses to the
homosexual penetration alternatively four confessions from each of the
active partners, renders a sentence for homosexuality almost impossible in
practice. The police and justice administration do not take actice measures
to investigate into the existence of homosexuality, nor do they actively
hunt homosexuals. All in all, the situation in practice in Iran is
drastically different from the impression conveyed by the Shari'a inspired
Penal Code.

   As far as the behaviour of homosexual persons can be taken as a relevant
indication about the degree of oppression of homosexuals, the impression is
rather that the situation in Iran is relatively tolerant, since
homosexuality is by no means unusual in Iran. Certain 'health clubs' in
Teheran are e.g. known to be frequented by homosexuals. Furthermore, it is
by no means unusual to meet openly homosexual persons - under otherwise
heterosexual private circumstances like social events. Judging by
appearances, diplomats with a homosexual orientation posted in Iran have 
not had any problems to get in touch with 'partners' in Iran. If anything,
the situation is rather that homosexuals can conceal their orientation more
easily in Iran than e.g. in Sweden, as physical contact between men -
embracements, cheek-kissing, holding hands - is culturally accepted behaviour.

   According to information from usually very reliable sources, no
homosexuals have been executed in Iran for the last few years. In order to
risk policiary sanctions - maltreatment or a short time in custody/jail,
regardless of the fact that the penalty according to the law is death or
whipping - a homosexual couple must behave with great indiscretion, almost
provocatively, in a public place.

   The decided opinion of the Embassy is that the 25-year-old man who has
asked for asylum on grounds of homosexuality can return to Iran without
running any risk for serious harassments. In the light of the account given
above on the actual situation for homosexuals in Iran, his story, as you
cite it, does not sound reliable, neither concerning the torture of his
boyfriend nor the domiciliary visit.

SOURCE:
News from Swedish Lesbian/Gay Politics
Published by the Swedish Federation for Gay and Lesbian Rights (RFSL)
No. 22/1996 (July 13-August 15, 1996)