Dutch and French fight for gay rights

Friday 19 December 2008

A Dutch and French joint initiative to get the United Nations to condemn discrimination against gay people has led to divisions within the world body, the NRC reports on Friday.

The statement, which is non-binding, calls on countries to take all 'necessary measures' to make sure people are not treated like criminals because of their sexual orientation. So far 66 of the 192 member countries have signed the treaty but the United States, the Vatican and the Islamic Conference countries have not.

In a speech to the UN on Thursday, Dutch foreign affairs minister Maxime Verhagen said the statement was 'not radical' and reminded member states that the universal declaration of human rights also bans discrimination.

'Human rights apply to all people, in all places and at all times. So they apply to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people too,' Verhagen said. 'As long as there is a divide between the principle of universality and the practice of everyday life, statements like this are vital.'

Homosexuality is illegal in 86 countries around the globe with gays subject to the death penalty in countries like Iran and Yemen.

The NRC reports that Verhagen also said he was disappointed in the US position. 'It is a pity that a country which takes such a strong stand on human rights does not support this declaration,' the paper reports him as saying.

For the full speech, click here

© DutchNews.nl

Get the DutchNews.nl newsletter in your mailbox: Click here to subscribe

Print-version