Global call for rights

Global call for rights

The European Union, the US Government, and global unions marked IDAHO on May 17 by calling for equal rights for GLBTIs worldwide.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton (pictured), wrote to all of the nearly 80 nations which still criminalise homosexuality, calling on them to end all acts of violence, criminal sanctions and human rights violations because of sexual orientation or gender identity.

On the same day, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement reading, “On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am proud to affirm our support for LGBT communities at home and abroad, and to call for an end to discrimination and mistreatment of LGBT persons wherever it occurs.

“Whether by supporting LGBT advocates marching in Belgrade, leading the effort at the United Nations to affirm the human rights of LGBT persons, or condemning a vile law under consideration in Uganda, we are committed to our friends and allies in every region of the world who are fighting for equality and justice. These are not Western concepts — these are universal human rights.”

The global Education International (EI) and Public Services International (PSI) unions and the International Trade Union Conference (ITUC) also called for reform.

“EI, PSI and ITUC denounce all hate crimes, rape and … condemn legislative initiatives aimed at criminalising homosexuality,” their statement read.

“Of equal concern is the imposition of administrative sanctions for the ‘promotion of homosexual relations’, which can lead to discrimination in the workplace and in access to vital public services such as education, health, housing and legal services.”

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