Gay-hate resolution attacked
The United States says it will move to reverse a recent United Nations amendment which has removed sexual orientation from a resolution calling for an end to extra judicial executions.
The motion, pushed by Middle East and African nations, was passed in November and changes an explicit reference to sexuality to “discriminatory reasons on any basis” on an extensive list of areas in which people should be protected from extra judicial killings.
Previous resolutions on extra judicial killings included sexuality.
US ambassador Susan Rice told an audience at a recent gay and lesbian Human Rights Day event that she was “incensed” by the resolution and would seek to a reverse the move in another vote on December 20.
Following the motion UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has renewed calls for homosexuality to be decriminalised across the globe.
“Today, many nations have modern constitutions that guarantee essential rights and liberties. And yet, homosexuality is considered a crime in more than 70 countries,” Ban Ki-moon said, the Associated Press reports.
“That is not right. When there is tension between cultural attitudes and universal human rights, universal human rights must carry the day.”
The top UN official said during recent trips to Africa he urged leaders to abolish laws criminalising homosexuality, and was able to help free a young gay couple in Malawi who were sentenced to 14 years in prison for homosexual activity.
