UN's Ban calls for decriminalization of homosexuality

[News_Editor]

UN's Ban calls for decriminalization of homosexuality

2010-12-11 10:18:25 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEW) — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday appealed for complete and universal decriminalization of homosexuality as over 70 countries still consider homosexuality a crime.

In an event on sexual orientation at UN Headquarters in New York, held in conjunction with Human Rights Day, Ban deplored discrimination against homosexuals and the violence of which they are often victims, for which the perpetrators escape punishment.

"Together, we seek the repeal of laws that criminalize homosexuality, that permit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, that encourage violence," Ban said, stressing that human rights must always trump cultural attitudes and societal strictures.

"When individuals are attacked, abused or imprisoned because of their sexual orientation, we must speak out. We cannot stand by. We cannot be silent," Ban added, underlining that this is all the more true in cases of violence.

Ban noted that these are not merely assaults on individuals, "they are attacks on all of us. They devastate families. They pit one group against another, dividing larger society. And when the perpetrators of violence escape without penalty, they make a mockery of the universal values we hold dear."

In addition, the Secretary-General recognized that social attitudes run deep and social change often comes only with time, but he highlighted the collective responsibility to stand against discrimination, to defend fellow human beings and fundamental principles.

"Let there be no confusion: where there is tension between cultural attitudes and universal human rights, universal human rights must carry the day," he said. "Personal disapproval, even society’s disapproval, is no excuse to arrest, detain, imprison, harass or torture anyone – ever."

During his recent trips to Africa, Ban urged leaders to do away with laws criminalizing homosexuality as he was particularly pleased that in Malawi he was able to secure the release of a young gay couple sentenced to 14 years in prison, with President Bingu wa Mutharika freeing them on the very day he asked him to.

Thursday night, Ban spoke to a Human Rights Day event at the Ford Foundation in New York called 'Speak Up,' at which one of his fellow speakers was a young activist from Uganda, Frank Mugisha, who has been working with a variety of civil society groups to stop legislation that institutionalizes discrimination against gay and lesbian people.

Ban recalled his "extraordinary eloquence," saying he had asked them to rally support for the decriminalization of homosexuality everywhere in the world.

"And that is what we will do," Ban said. "We have been called upon, and we will answer."

Furthermore, Ban said he would continue to speak out, at every opportunity, wherever he goes becaus its "the right thing to do, because this cause is just," he stated. "That is why this day, this very special day, means so much to me. Human Rights Day commemorates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-12-11

[TAWP]

Tried to find a list, found a list from 2009:

Not all of the countries listed systematically enforce these laws, but the fact remains that they are on the books. More countries outlaw gay male sex than lesbian sex. The countries with an * do not consider female/female sex illegal.

This list was updated on 9/25/09. Eight countries were removed and one Burundi, was added. In 2009, for the first time in history, same-sex relations have been criminalized in Burundi.

The following countries have laws that ban homosexual sex:

* Afghanistan

* Algeria

* Angola

* Antiqua and Barbuda

* *Bangladesh

* Barbados

* Belize

* Bhutan

* Botswana

* *Brunei

* Burundi

* Cameroon

* *Cook Islands

* Djibouti (unknown status)

* Dominica

* Eritrea

* Ethiopia

* *Gambia

* *Gaza

* Ghana

* *Grenada

* Guinea

* *Guyana

* *India

* Iran

* *Iraq

* *Jamaica

* *Kenya

* *Kiribati

* *Kuwait

* Lebanon

* *Lesotho

* Liberia

* Libya

* *Malawi

* *Malaysia

* Maldives

* Mauritania

* *Mauritius

* Morocco

* Mozambique

* *Myanmar

* *Namibia

* *Nauru

* Nicaragua

* *Nigeria

* Oman

* *Pakistan

* *Palau

* *Papua New Guinea

* Qatar

* *Saint Kitts and Nevis

* Saint Lucia

* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

* Sao Tome and Principe

* Saudi-Arabia

* Senegal

* *Seychelles

* *Sierra Leone

* *Singapore

* Solomon Islands

* Somalia

* Sri Lanka

* Sudan

* Swaziland (female/female-unclear)

* Syria (female/female-unclear)

* *Tanzania

* Togo

* *Tonga

* Trinidad and Tobago

* Tunisia

* Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (plans to repeal the law)

* *Turkmesistan

* *Tuvalu

* Uganda

* United Arab Emirates

* *Uzbekistan

* *Western Samoa

* Yemen

* *Zambia

* *Zimbabwe

Countries Whose Laws do not Explicitly ban Same-Sex Behavior, but have some laws which have been used to punish gay and lesbian behavior:

* Costa Rica

* Democratic Republic of Congo

* Egypt

* Indonesia

In addition, here is a nice overview of the full LGBT-range in a comprehensive table-format:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_by_country_or_territory#LGBT-related_laws_by_country_or_territory

Edited December 11, 2010 by TAWP

[Scott]

Thanks. That's a list of places where I won't be taking a vacation. I am a little surprised that Myanmar is on the list.

[geriatrickid]

Thanks. That's a list of places where I won't be taking a vacation. I am a little surprised that Myanmar is on the list.

I'm not. Military junta and all that crap.

Almost 2011 and we still see such stupid prejudice. Sad.

Btw, Scotty, I don't think you'd want to vacation in Pakistan, Iraq, Iran or Bangladesh anyway.

Stay in Thailand, the men are cuter.

(I had written boys, but someone probably would have misinterpreted that, so I have used the term men, even though I still call my friends who are in their 30's - boys)

Edited December 11, 2010 by geriatrickid