Hossein Alizadeh is IGLHRC communications director. He won asylum in the U. S. based on his sexual orientation. Hossein cited recent cases of sodomy-related executions in the cities of Mashhad, Gorgan and Kermanshah.

"Despite a widely publicized outcry two years ago when Iranian authorities executed two young men in the northeastern city of Mashhed, the government continues to target, arrest, prosecute, and execute individuals under its sodomy law," IGLHRC said. "IGLHRC ... condemns Iran's violations of human rights law and asks that human rights groups around the world work to support those targetted by the government.

"The Iranian media regularly publishes stories about the execution of alleged criminals on sodomy-related crimes," the statement continued. "Just a week ago the spokesperson for the Iranian Judiciary announced that in the next few days some 20 criminals will be hanged in Tehran on a variety of charges, including sodomy.

"The International Gay And Lesbian Human Rights Commission condemns the prosecution and execution of individuals for consensual sex, including sodomy."

The 20 announced executions also were the subject of a New York Times article, which said some of them were punishment for "homosexuality."