The CSIS Pacific Partners Initiative has hosted a Statesmen’s Forum with Helen Clark in which the former Prime Minister and candidate in the running for the UN Secretary General position spoke of her great passion for LGBTI rights. During a live question and answer session Clark was asked by a young New Zealander what she thought were the “most pressing issues facing LGBT people worldwide” and what she will do “to advance the rights of LGBT people as Secretary General if you are elected”. Clark, who also took part in the first ever UN Secretary General candidates televised debate yesterday, said she could speak “with great passion on this as as someone who has been very very supportive of the community at home” and mentioned the work she does in her position as head of the United Nations Development Program. She went on to say “the situation is extremely difficult in a number of countries” and that the public can “count on me to be an advocate for everybody’s human rights.” In May, to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Clark released a statement in her role as head of the UNDP and highlighted the mental health issues faced by a large number of LGBTI people and the widespread stigma and discrimination that still exists worldwide. “This is cause for action. We can and we must do more,” she said. “We need to continue to raise awareness and take action to ensure that all people have an equal right to live healthy lives free from violence, persecution, stigma, and discrimination. “The failure to uphold the human rights of LGBTI people and ensure that they have protection from abuse and violence has negative consequences for health, well-being, and development.” The Centre for Strategic and International Studies is a public policy research institution dedicated to analysis and policy impact. The CSIS Statesmen's Forum provides global political leaders the opportunity to present their views about critical policy issues and gives those who have professional responsibility for policy determination and interpretation a chance to assess the positions and perspectives of global leaders and to engage them in dialogue.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 14th July 2016 - 11:34am