The Gay Massacre we are Paying for in Iraq. The UK Responds.

The Foreign Office has responded to concerns about Iraq planning a spate of executions, including some gay victims.

Iraqi LGBT UK, a British-based campaign group, claims that at least five of its activists in the Islamic country are on the list of 128 people who are due to get the death penalty. And they fear others gays may also be murdered by the authorities after a spate of raids and round-ups.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Britain has said it doesn’t have any solid information to go on but has pledged to look into the campaigners’ claims. But the FCO has denied there is systemic abuse of gays in Iraq.

Bill Rammell, minister of state, said in a statement to Pink Paper: “Following reports of an imminent move to carry out the death sentences of 117 individuals on death row at Kadhamiyah-Max Prison in Iraq, the UK joined other EU member states in supporting a demarche delivered on 8 March by the Czech EU presidency to Iraqi vice president Tareeq al-Hashemi and to the head of the Iraqi prime minister’s office.

“Vice president al-Hashemi said he had no information about the enforcement of these sentences which had been passed by the courts in full compliance with Iraqi law and the Iraqi constitution. We are not aware that any of these sentences have been carried out but will continue to pursue the Iraqi government on this matter, including to reiterate our position on the death penalty.

“The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received some reports of violence committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation. But these allegations have so far been uncorroborated and we have consequently been unable to raise them with the government of Iraq.

“There does not however appear to be any systemic or institutionalised abuse of the homosexual community in Iraq. FCO officials remain in contact with vulnerable groups and organisations such as the UK-based Iraqi Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-Gender Group, and are looking into their most recent reports. The UK condemns the persecution of any individual because of their sexual orientation.”

Iraqi officials have not released the names and details of those on death row or the charges against them. Amnesty International fears many of the prisoners have had unfair trials or even been tortured. They are due to be executed in batches of 20.

Rammell added: “The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, and together with EU partners we work proactively for its abolition around the world.

“The UK played an active part in delivering the successful resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly in December 2007 and November 2008, which call upon all states that maintain the death penalty to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

“Further details on the UK’s work on the death penalty can be found in our annual human rights report, which is published on our website: fco.gov.uk.”