Petition to be delivered to Commonwealth HQ on Wednesday, April 11.
104,000 people from across the Commonwealth have signed a petition demanding an end to the criminalisation of LGBT people in 37 out of 53 Commonwealth member states.
The petition will be delivered to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London at 12.30pm, Wednesday April 11, by a six-person delegation, representing LGBT+ people from across the Commonwealth.
The petition will be received by the Assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Dr Nabeel Goheer.
To sign the petition, click here:
The petition hand-in will take place just five days before the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London (April 16-20).
Petition co-organiser, Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said: “Over 70% of Commonwealth nations are bastions of homophobic prejudice, discrimination & violence. What are Commonwealth leaders doing about it? Nothing! This petition is telling them it’s time to stop persecuting LGBT+ people.
“Thirty-seven of the 53 Commonwealth member states criminalise same-sex relations. Nine have life imprisonment. In parts of two Commonwealth countries, Nigeria and Pakistan, LGBT+ people can be executed.”
“Commonwealth leaders have refused to even discuss LGBT+ human rights for six decades. This protest is to tell them: Time’s up on blocking debate. Time’s up on legal discrimination. Time’s up on homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.”
These are the four demands of the petition to the leaders of all Commonwealth nations:
♦ Decriminalise same-sex relations
♦ Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
♦ Enforce laws against threats and violence, to protect LGBT+ people from hate crimes
♦ Consult and dialogue with national LGBT+ organisations
The petition delegation comprises LGBT+ people of Commonwealth heritage: from Uganda, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Mauritius, Australia and the UK – Edwin Sesange, Beth Granter, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, S Chelvan, Pliny Soocoormanee and Peter Tatchell.
The petition is supported by: The Commonwealth Equality Network, Kaleidoscope Trust, Peter Tatchell Foundation, UK Black Pride, African Equality Foundation, Equality Network, African Rainbow Family, Movement for Justice, House of Rainbow, Out & Proud African LGBTI, Micro Rainbow, Africa Advocacy Foundation, Rainbow Across Borders, African Eye Trust and Manchester Migrant Solidarity.
On Thursday, April 19 from 1-2pm during the Commonwealth summit, LGBTs and allies will rally outside the London HQ of the Commonwealth Secretariat to protest against the criminalisation of same-sex relations by 37 out 53 Commonwealth countries and to demand that Commonwealth leaders discuss and redress the persecution of LGBT people in over 70% of member states.
LGBT+ delegates from across the Commonwealth will join the protest which will be outside. Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX. Nearest tubes: Green Park, Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross.
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