Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…
Demonstrators rally outside the London headquarters of the Commonwealth on Nov. 25, seeking repeal of anti-homosexuality laws. (Photo courtesy of Peter Tatchell Foundation)
African LGBTI activists and their allies are urging 40 countries that formerly were part of the British Empire to throw off the chains that the colonial empire created for LGBTI citizens in the form of now-ancient anti-homosexuality laws.
During a protest at the Commonwealth’s London headquarters on Nov. 25, they called for action during the upcoming Commonwealth leadership meeting in Malta. This is their press release about the protest:
Commonwealth Summit in Malta urged to back LGBTI equality
For 66 years, the Commonwealth has refused to even discuss LGBTI rights
“Love Is Not A Crime,” say demonstrators in London on Nov. 25, seeking repeal of anti-homosexuality laws. (Photo courtesy of Peter Tatchell Foundation)
London, UK – 25 November 2015
Fifty people rallied outside the London headquarters of the Commonwealth today, two days before the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta.
They were demanding that all Commonwealth member states “decriminalise homosexuality and legislate equal rights for their LGBTI citizens, in accordance with the human rights principles of the Commonwealth Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
The rally was organised by the African LGBTI organisation, the Out and Proud Diamond Group, and supported by the Peter Tatchell Foundation, Rainbow Across Borders, Rainbow International and African Rainbow Family.
“For 66 years, the Commonwealth Summit (CHOGM) has refused to even discuss LGBTI human rights, let alone support LGBTI equality. This CHOGM is no different. They won’t even allow LGBTI rights on the agenda,” noted Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation, who has been lobbying the Commonwealth on LGBTI issues for over 20 years.
Peter Tatchell (left) at a 2014 protest against homophobia.
“Forty of the 53 member states of the Commonwealth criminalise homosexuality. They account for more than half of the world’s countries where same-sex relations are illegal.
“Ninety per cent of Commonwealth citizens live in Commonwealth countries where homosexuality is a criminal offence and where LGBTI people have no legal protection against discrimination and hate crime. It is state-sponsored homophobia and it is happening in 75% of the Commonwealth member nations, without any public rebuke by the Commonwealth leadership.
“This homophobic repression is getting worse in some Commonwealth nations; notably Uganda, Cameroon, Nigeria and Brunei.
“What is the point of having a Commonwealth Charter committed to equality and non-discrimination if three quarters of the member states violate its principles and get away with it?
“Many of the anti-gay laws in the Commonwealth were imposed by Britain in the nineteenth century, during the era of colonial occupation. But this is no excuse for now independent self-governing nations to perpetuate foreign-dictated homophobic legislation,” said Mr Tatchell.
Protesters line up in London on Nov. 25, seeking repeal of anti-homosexuality laws throughout the Commonwealth. (Photo courtesy of Peter Tatchell Foundation)
Today’s LGBTI rally in London urged the Commonwealth to:
1. Put LGBTI issues on the agenda at CHOGM in Malta and invite LGBTI organisations to participate
2. Set a timetable for Commonwealth countries to decriminalise homosexuality and legislate legal protection against anti-LGBTI discrimination and hate crime
3. Establish on-going consultations and partnerships with LGBTI organisations in the member states
4. Promote adherence to the Commonwealth Charter and international human rights conventions that protect the rights of all citizens, including LGBTI citizens
“The Theme of next week’s CHOGM is: Adding Global Value. This is about using the Commonwealth’s strengths in international politics to influence and effect change on important global issues. It is all about making a positive difference to the lives of Commonwealth citizens. Adding Global Value seeks to unify the Commonwealth behind an ambitious policy agenda that bequeaths to young people a life of liberty, dignity and prosperity,” said Edwin Sesange, Director of the African LGBTI organisation, the Out and Proud Diamond Group.
“Most of these countries inherited their anti-gay laws from Britain when it was their colonial ruler. They are a colonial hang-over. The existence of these anti-gay laws over the last century has created a climate where many people believe that homophobic attitudes and laws are a part of their cultures,” said Mr Sesange.
His Out and Proud Diamond Group colleague, Abbey Kiwanuka, added:
Abbey Kiwanuka, co-director of Out and Proud Diamond Group. (Photo courtesy of The Independent)
“At least seven Commonwealth countries impose life imprisonment for homosexuality. Parts of northern Nigeria and rural Pakistan have the death penalty for LGBTI people, and Brunei plans to introduce death by stoning. This makes a mockery of the Commonwealth Charter.
“Most countries that are signatories to the Commonwealth Charter have failed to live up to it. The Commonwealth has continued to do nothing serious and effective to encourage these nations to respect the liberty and dignity of their LGBTI citizens.
“The criminalisation and demonisation of homosexuality in the Commonwealth has led to mob-violence and the murder of LGBTI people, their denial of employment, housing and medical care, as well as imprisonment, torture and sexual assault.
“The Commonwealth boasts that it is strong in terms of international politics and global issues. Why, then, has it not used its strength to influence the decriminalisation of homosexuality?” queried Mr Kiwanuka.
Aderonke Apata, a Nigerian refugee and founder of African Rainbow Family, which promotes LGBTIQ equality globally, said:
Aderonke Apata (Photo courtesy of The Independent)
“The situation for LGBTI people in the 40 out of the 53 Commonwealth countries that criminalise homosexuality is getting worse. In Nigeria, for example, as well as 14 years imprisonment, same-sex relations also carry the penalty of death by stoning in some regions of the country where Sharia law prevails. In the last couple of years, Nigeria has introduced draconian new jail terms for organising, funding and belonging to LGBTIQ organisations – and for advocating LGBTIQ equality.
“A wave of homophobia is being whipped up constantly against LGBTIQ people and anyone working with or supporting them. Many LGBTIQ people have fled Commonwealth countries in search of safety elsewhere. They have been driven out as a result of mob attacks, police harassment, eviction from their homes and job refusals and dismissals. Those who remain face grave state and non-state persecution,” she said.
Colin its not true for Nigeria at any rate that there is a death penatly (sharia ) on caught LGBTI please let us not over egg the cake. As a Christian i am taught that we have what we say so let us not pronouce Death on the LGBTI when the law has not.
There has been many queer Northerners (muslims0 caught since the 2014 law was passed and they didnt go to jail but got public floggings so please am very cautious in stating things .
Thanks for that comment. After further investigation, I revised the article and put Nigeria into a newly revised category: “Nations with such laws on the books in part of the country; no verified executions for homosexual activity.”
If people draw my attention to specific evidence of executions for same-sex intimacy in northern Nigeria — or anywhere — I will revise the article further.
Reblogged this on Fairy JerBear's Queer/Trans News, Views & More From The City Different – Santa Fe, NM and commented:
The former colonizer (Great Britain) has done away with its anti-LGBTQ laws now it’s time for them to admit they were wrong and exert pressure on their former colonies to repeal sodomy laws and other anti-LGBTQ laws.
Colin its not true for Nigeria at any rate that there is a death penatly (sharia ) on caught LGBTI please let us not over egg the cake. As a Christian i am taught that we have what we say so let us not pronouce Death on the LGBTI when the law has not.
There has been many queer Northerners (muslims0 caught since the 2014 law was passed and they didnt go to jail but got public floggings so please am very cautious in stating things .
Thanks mate
Thanks for that comment. After further investigation, I revised the article and put Nigeria into a newly revised category: “Nations with such laws on the books in part of the country; no verified executions for homosexual activity.”
If people draw my attention to specific evidence of executions for same-sex intimacy in northern Nigeria — or anywhere — I will revise the article further.
— Colin Stewart, editor/publisher of this blog