A petition with 104,115 signatures was today delivered to the Commonwealth headquarters in London urging the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 37 Commonwealth nations that still outlaw same-sex relations.
THE petition hand-in took place just five days before the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London (April 16-20).
The petition, accepted by the Assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Dr Nabeel Goheer was delivered by six 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.
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, homosexuality can result in a death sentence.
“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.
The petition makes four demands 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 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.
To sign the petition, click here: