Homosexuals Threaten Aggressive Campaign to Pass UN Human Rights Law

By C-FAM Staff

     (NEW YORK – C-FAM) Amidst intractable disagreement, the UN Commission on Human Rights concluded its annual session last Friday by postponing a vote on Brazil's controversial resolution on sexual orientation. The proposal seeks to extend international anti-discrimination laws to apply to homosexual, bisexual and transgender individuals. Some legal scholars contend that the resolution would also create an international legal foundation for homosexual marriage, hate crimes legislation, and for limitations on freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

     Powerful homosexual activists have reacted with outrage at this apparent setback. Elizabeth Birch, executive director of US-based Human Rights Campaign, said, "We are very disappointed that the Commission on Human Rights has chosen to postpone action that affirms the basic human rights of the world's gay, lesbian and bisexual population, who along with the transgender community, are routinely subjected to discrimination and inhumane treatment." Faisal Alam, founder of the Washington D.C.-based Muslim homosexual group Al Fatiha, said, "I am obviously upset. The issue of [gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender] rights has been sacrificed at the altar of political expediency."

     Alam blamed the Muslim countries, the United States and the Vatican for this outcome, a sentiment widely shared throughout the homosexual world. Jan Doerfel, of the International Research Centre for Social Minorities spoke of an "unholy alliance between the Holy See and the OIC [Organization of the Islamic Conference]." Amnesty International said "Some governments.continue to invoke cultural and religious justifications, as well as ill-informed misinterpretations of international law, to deny lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens their basic rights. Such arguments have reportedly been used in the last few days by some Commission member states."

     In a joint press release, Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Ca) and Rep Barney Franks (D-Ma) condemned the Bush administration saying they are "outraged at the Administration's failure to seize this critical opportunity. It is truly shocking that the United States would join forces with countries like Libya, Algeria and Saudi Arabia." The Bush administration, however, abstained in the vote to postpone consideration of the measure.

     Gay advocates have promised to redouble their efforts to lobby governments worldwide. The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission reminded its members that "The resolution was not defeated and it will be back with a vengeance next year. Although we didn't get a full victory, neither is this a defeat and it is clear that this will be the issue for the CHR next year.this is a huge victory." The European chapter of the International Lesbian and Gay Association said, "It is a success in the sense that the resolution was not voted down and we have now more time to lobby member states of the commission."

     Federico Meyer, a member of the Brazilian delegation in Geneva, declared that "The issue of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation is on the table, the OIC and other opponents of the resolution will not get rid of it. We have one year to act."

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter