Commonwealth under pressure over homophobia
Some Commonwealth states persecute homosexuals, campaigners say
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Friday, 27, Nov 2009 12:00
By Emmeline Saunders
Pressure is mounting on the secretary-general of the Commonwealth to publicly denounce homophobic persecution "that exists in most Commonwealth member states".
Kamalesh Sharma is being pressed to condemn Uganda's draconian new anti-homosexuality bill which proposes the death penalty for "serial offenders" or gay people with HIV.
The legislation aims to "protect the traditional family" by prohibiting gay sex and outlawing the promotion of homosexuality – which would make political activity on behalf of gay rights activists a crime.
The bill also warns those who learn the identity of a sexually active gay person to report them within 24 hours. Failure to do this is punishable by a jail term and heavy fine.
The remit of the law will also cover Ugandans living abroad in countries where homosexuality is not criminalised.
"Such rampant bigotry and ill-treatment of other human beings is a stain on the Commonwealth," said the Green party human rights spokesman Peter Tatchell.
"Anti-gay persecution in Commonwealth countries includes discriminatory laws that criminalise same-sex relations, with maximum penalties ranging up to life imprisonment.
"Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Commonwealth citizens are at risk of arrest, torture, rape, imprisonment and extra-judicial murder."
Christian leaders funded by right-wing evangelical churches in the US are being blamed for pushing the legislation.
Opponents of the bill argue it violates "the Commonwealth principles of equality, non-discrimination and human rights".
It has been condemned by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists and the World AIDS Campaign.
Mr Tatchell has argued Uganda's new bill contravenes international human rights law.
He has written to the secretary-general urging him to speak out against the discrimination of lesbian and gay people at this weekend's Commonwealth summit meeting in Trinidad and Tobago, which will host representation from all 53 member states.
Around 80 countries in the world still outlaw homosexuality, and more than half of those are former British colonies. Most are members of the Commonwealth, Mr Tatchell argued in his letter to Mr Sharma.
Penalties for same-sex relations range from one year's imprisonment to life imprisonment, or even execution.