Commonwealth Secretary General Condemns Homophobia

Speech at UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
By Melanie Nathan, 02/29/2012

The Human Rights Council in Geneva  has heard it from Kamalesh Sharma, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations who  reiterated this week that homophobia is incompatible with Commonwealth values. This sends a signal from the top that persecution based on sexuality around the world, is unacceptable.

Internationally renowned activist,  Peter Tatchell compared the remarks on LGBT human rights to statements made by other international leaders such as Hillary Clinton and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, noting critically that “Mr Sharma’s criticisms of homophobia were too brief and too general:” Mr Tatchell believes that Sharma should have  rebuked the more than 40 Commonwealth countries that continue to persecute LGBT people. ” His speech made no mention of transphobia and the need for protection against discrimination based on gender identity,” said Mr Tatchell.

Sharma is Secretary General of the Commonwealth association of 54 nations, most of which are former British colonies and 80% of which have retained draconian colonial-era homophobic laws that criminalise homosexuality.

It is a great irony that the Countries who follow these anti-gay laws, established during colonial era, believe that the West should not be interfering in the fight for the laws to be eradicated.  That latter view is what could be holding Sharma and others back from a sharper attack on them.  It is as if the countries, mostly African, believe that the Western influence in the original making of laws takes precedence over the West’s place to speak to the eradication. (Opinion Melanie Nathan)

Tatchel’s Foundation has provided this information:  “The penalties include 25 years jail in Trinidad and Tobago and 20 years plus flogging in Malaysia. Six Commonwealth countries stipulate life imprisonment: Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Pakistan, Uganda, Bangladesh and Guyana. In parts of Nigeria and Pakistan, same-sex relationships can be punishable by death.

“There are, or have been, homophobic witch-hunts in several Commonwealth countries: Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Ghana.

“Commonwealth states account for more than half of the countries in the world that still outlaw same-sex relationships,” noted Mr Tatchell.

The key points of Mr Sharma’s speech are:

“The Commonwealth is a leader in adding to global value through this collective striving for human rights. The Affirmation introduced a shared commitment on human rights “…for all without discrimination on any grounds…..

“Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is an area of concern on which we have given the perspective of Commonwealth values in various fora, including in this Council.

“Our position continues to be that we oppose discrimination or stigmatisation on any grounds, including those of sexual orientation. It is for member states to address incompatibilities between Commonwealth values and mostly inherited national laws in these areas.”

See the full text of Kamalesh Sharma’s speech here:

http://www.thecommonwealth.org/speech/181889/34293/35178/244977/290212sghrc.htm

“The Peter Tatchell Foundation is campaigning against all human rights violations in Commonwealth countries, including homophobia and transphobia. We are working to secure adherence to universal human rights by the 54 member states,” added Mr Tatchell.  “Too many Commonwealth countries sanction state executions, censorship, torture, detention without trial and restrictions on free speech and the right to protest – as well as officially endorsed discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexuality and religion or belief.  “This has to change. Commonwealth countries have a duty to adhere to Commonwealth values and abide by the international human rights laws they have signed and pledged to uphold,” he said.