Nobel laureate condemns hanging of gay teenagers in Iran

-Iranian dictatorships barbaric behavior continues.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200507240338.htm

Teheran (Iran), July 24 (AP): Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi on Saturday condemned the hanging of two teenagers in northeastern Iran, a punishment that prompted protests by gay rights groups around the world.

Ebadi said the hanging last week of a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old on charges of involvement in homosexual acts was a violation of Iran's obligations under the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, which bans such executions.

Ebadi said her Center for the Protection of Human Rights will intensify its fight against Iran's executions of minors.

``My calls for a law clearly banning execution of under-18s has fallen on deaf ears so far but I will not give up the fight,'' Ebadi told The Associated Press.

"Gay rights groups, such as the London-based Outrage!, and Iranian opposition groups suggested the rape allegations were trumped-up charges aimed to undermine public sympathy for the teenagers."

Wouldn't be the first time that trick has been used.