■ Meg Munn and Ian McCartney:  “The Government is committed to promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms in all its foreign policies as much as its domestic ones.”

LONDON, April 19, 2007  –  “Around the world, countless gay, lesbian. bisexual and transsexual people still suffer discrimination, sometimes with devastating consequences for their lives, and in flagrant denial of their human rights.”  A statement from a gay activist?  No.  From two Government Ministers.

Ian McCartney, Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs,  and Meg Munn, Minister for Women and Equality, issued their joint statement this morning backing the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on May 17.

“We have both spoken in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual issues at length this year, including a speech to the UN Human rights Council as Minister with responsibility for international human rights and important Parliamentary debates on the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 as Minister for Equality,” the Ministers say in their statement.

“2007 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act, which began the long road to equality and justice for gay, lesbian and transsexual people in the UK.

“It has been a long and difficult journey,” they say.  “Yet around the world, countless gay, lesbian. bisexual and transsexual people still suffer discrimination, sometimes with devastating consequences for their lives, and in flagrant denial of their human rights.

“Nothing justifies the abuse of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms-neither culture, nor religion, nor tradition.

“The Government is committed to promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms in all its foreign policies as much as its domestic ones.

“We include the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people in these efforts.  We hope the International Day Against Homophobia will encourage others to take similar steps,” the statement concludes.

Derek Lennard, the UK coordinator of IDAHO welcomed the support of Ms. Munn and Mr. McCartney.

“We very much welcome this statement from the Government and believe it will encourage both organisers of IDAHO events around the country, and campaigners working very hard to bring a resolution to the United Nations for the Universal Decriminalisation of Homosexuality.”

LINKS

		IDAHO-UK website
		IDAHO International website

 

Posted: 19 April 2007 at 12:30 (UK time)