Australia to get marriage grilling
Australia will face questions on human rights issues and the GLBT community on Thursday when it appears for its Universal Periodic Review at the UN.
The Netherlands has flagged that it will ask what the Australian Government will do to ensure same-sex couples are recognised under federal law, and if this will include marriage.
“Concerning the rights of same-sex couples and the prevention of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, what specific measures will the Government take to ensure equality before the law of all its citizens regardless of sexual orientation, and will this include allowing same-sex partners to marry and recognise same-sex marriages from overseas, as well as ensuring equal rights for same-sex partners seeking to become parents, or who are currently parenting?” the Dutch question reads.
In its report to the Periodic Review, the Government states that its position is that it “supports a nationally consistent state-based framework for relationship recognition”.
The Netherlands will also ask a more general question on equality and non-discrimination — whether a proposed single federal human rights act will cover all rights to equality and non-discrimination as contained in international human rights law.
Switzerland will grill the Government about what it is doing to protect GLBTs from discrimination.
“Which measures has Australia taken to ensure that all citizens live free from discrimination regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity?” the Swiss question reads.
Currently in federal law, GLBTs only have protection from discrimination in employment.
Australian Marriage Equality welcomed the Government being scrutinised on its GLBTI rights record.
“Australia is a human rights leader and to remain in that position we must show we are genuine about human rights by removing the legal inequalities experienced by same-sex couples,” AME national convenor Alex Greenwich said.
“As we celebrate our nation’s achievements on Australia Day, let’s keep in mind that the test of national values like equality and a fair go is whether they are extended to all citizens.”
However, Sex And Gender Education sexologist Tracie O’Keefe was disappointed that the Swiss question did not include transsexuals and intersex people who were not gender diverse.
“Many people who are intersex or sex diverse are not gender diverse, so it misses out a whole swathe of people who are not currently protected in Australia,” O’Keefe said.
“It’s great that they’re asking a question, but it would be greater if they asked the whole question.”
Hi SSO, I left this comment on Saturday but it doesn’t seem to have been published. I have provided it again as I know how important are human rights, such as free speech and an accountable press, to the SSO. I also know you would never shut down debate on issues or points of view with which you personally disagree.
I note that many countries are members of the UN Human Rights Council this year, among them Ukraine, Ghana, Zambia and Pakistan. Was the gay marriage question also asked of them, and if not why not? Given that countries such as Libya, Saudi Arabia and Cuba have been elected members in the past, I would suggest that the UN Human Rights Council is a toothless farce of hypocrisy and double standards to which no intelligent person would give their time of day.
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals’ freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one’s ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.
Julia Gillard has been a staunch supporter of John Howard’s changes to the Marriage Act that excluded all Same-Sex couples who were married. She has decided that we should not have some Civil Rights and be excluded from an institution that government controls and took over.
It is a great act of cruelty to say you should pay the same taxes as people who can marry, you can grow old with your love, but you will never be able to marry if you want to. Those who want to get married should be able to, and have no legal barrier placed on them simply because of their sexuality.
For those who do not want to get married they also are discriminated against by having a lot of legislation that favours married couples over other relationships. I also think it is disgusting those on Centerlink Payments get their relationship recognized so the government can pay less, but does not recognize it in many other areas. Is that Labor Equality, discrimination?
Labor used to be the progressive party, the party that valued Civil Rights, now they are not. There are other political parties that do not have an issue with your sexuality; clearly Labor does in many areas.