Rainbow Wellington is urging New Zealand leaders, and those from across the Commonwealth, to take action to stop widespread human rights abuses against glbti people. Homosexuality is still illegal in 41 of the 53 Commonwealth member states. Ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Sri Lanka, UK-based charity the Kaleidoscope Trust has outlined attempted murder, beatings and harassment in Commonwealth nations in its new Speaking Out report. It includes contributions from over 20 glbti organisations and testimonies of homophobia from almost every Commonwealth state. Rainbow Wellington says it celebrated along with all of the New Zealand glbti community when Louisa Wall’s marriage equality act passed this year. Chair Rawa Karetai says at the same time homosexuality is still illegal in 41 of the 53 Commonwealth member states. “The report describes lots of frightening stories of violence and discrimination against members of our communities across the Commonwealth,” Karetai says. “These are issues that our Government needs to urgently raise with our Commonwealth partners.” Karetai says John Key voted for marriage equality this year and he expected his Government to nowactively advocate for the right for all of the Commonwealth’s lgbti citizens to be free from violence and discrimination. The report, which is backed by Sir Shridath Ramphal, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth and Dr Purna Sen, former Head of Human Rights at the Commonwealth, demands the Commonwealth take action. “It is a reminder that for most of the countries of the Commonwealth, the desecration of our fellow citizens began in the law that was introduced by ... As with the abolition of slavery, the decriminalisation of homosexuality in our time must be an act of law,” says Sir Shridath Ramphal, in his Foreword. “Across the Commonwealth lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people are denied equal access to rights, education, employment, housing and healthcare. Once again we see Commonwealth leaders gathering at the Heads of Government meeting pushing aside the urgent need to protect every citizen under the law. Once again the human rights of LGBTI people are the elephant in the room,” adds Dr Purna Sen. The report demands that all Commonwealth governments: Repeal any legislation which criminalises same-sex sexual activity Put in place an immediate moratorium on the enforcement of any existing laws criminalising homosexuality Commit to engage in meaningful dialogue with their LGBTI communities to facilitate an informed debate about the means to remove all legal and other impediments to the enjoyment of their human rights Commit to open and free debate across the Commonwealth on the decriminalisation of homosexuality Support public education initiatives to inform the people of the Commonwealth about the case for LGBTI equality Support the right of an LGBTI Association to register with the Commonwealth alongside all civil society organisations and be free to express its views and engage in public debate Fully include LGBTI people in development and other programmes on an equal basis with the rest of society. Commit to include a discussion on equal rights for LGBTI citizens as a substantive agenda item at the next CHOGM
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 11th November 2013 - 12:26pm