We've all worked hard for our freedoms in New Zealand. Some of us have worked on political campaigns for law reform to give us the same rights as everyone else. Some have responded personally - coming out to friends and family, or offering advice and support to those who are struggling to do so. As I said in my column on 14 December, there's always room for improvement and a need for vigilance. But we're now at a point where in most cases we have formal legal equality. Social attitudes are improving too. It seems a good time to remember that things aren't so rosy elsewhere in the world. Violence against gay and lesbian people, in many cases under the protection of brutal laws, is an ugly reality. We get relatively frequent reminders of this in our own neighbourhood, where many Asian and Pacific nations still have a long way to go in promoting a healthy living environment for members of our communities. And in the past couple of weeks, places as diverse as Nigeria and Latvia have come onto the radar screen. We shouldn't feel that we can't do anything about repressive developments in these places. Through the anti-apartheid and peace movements we've shown in the past that New Zealanders can use moral suasion to real effect to influence international outcomes. Below, I have set out the text of a letter I have written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs about an horrific anti-gay law under consideration in the Nigerian parliament. Soon, there will be copies of similar letters, and replies received, about other developments of concern overseas, available on my website: charleschauvel.com. Check back there regularly for updates. Write your own letters to Winston, and help keep the pressure on toinfluence policy in other countries on our issues. 8 March 2007 To: Rt Hon Winston Peters Minister of Foreign Affairs Parliament Buildings Wellington Dear Minister, I write to draw your attention to an urgent matter concerning human rights in a commonwealth jurisdiction. I understand that a Nigerian Bill, which would criminalise public and private acts of same-sex expression, affection and advocacy, continues to move forward in both the Nigerian House of Representatives and Senate, and could be adopted at any time. This Bill has already generated significant international concern.On February 23, 2007, a joint statement was issued by four independent UN experts: the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. In their statement, these experts express the view that the Bill violates international law, and "heightens the potential for stigmatization, discrimination and intolerance against individuals for their actual and imputed sexual orientation or their gender identity, raising serious concerns regarding their protection... the Bill is likely to undermine HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts by driving stigmatized communities underground".The concerns of these UN experts were heightened by Nigeria's continued defence of the death penalty for homosexuality. (http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view 01/A8F5CC6EAC2D6C52C125728B0054CD9B?opendocument) The implication and the aims of the Bill are so broad that it could easily be used to promote censorship or as a punitive tool that would undermine the democratic process of the country. The way the debate in both Chambers of the Parliament has been accelerated raises concerns: this situation highlights the lack of transparency and serious risk for democracy in Nigeria, especially considering that the Bill potentially erodes civil liberties and human rights at one of the most delicate moments for the democratic life of the country. In view of the urgency of the situation, a strong response from the international community is imperative.In light of New Zealand's support for human rights and non-discrimination, I urge you to contact Nigeria to express deep concern about the negative impact that adoption of the Bill would have upon international perceptions of Nigeria's approach to human rights, the democratic process and basic principles of fairness, the rule of law and non-discrimination. Yours sincerely, Charles Chauvel Member of Parliament New Zealand Labour Party Charles Chauvel MP - 12th March 2007