LGBT Rights - Passion of the Present

Archive for the ‘LGBT Rights’ Category

Gay Marriage: The Issue Is Respect

June 26th, 2011 | Author: Marianne Mollmann

Earlier this year, a student in a human rights seminar I was teaching declared her conviction that gay parents damage their children by virtue of being gay. I explained as gently as I could why this is a discriminatory notion, incompatible with human rights standards, and moved on. My student sat as if stunned for two minutes, then gathered her books and left the class.

Posted in Commentary, Discrimination and Abuse of Discretion, LGBT Rights, LGBTQ, same-sex marriage, United States, US Domestic Policy, violence against homosexuals, Women's Rights | Comments Closed

Landmark UN Vote on Sexual Orientation

June 17th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The United Nations Human Rights Council has taken a landmark step forward by addressing for the first time violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The council, in the session that ended on June 17, 2011, also sent a strong signal that human rights violations in Belarus should end, but mustered only a muted response to the crisis in Yemen and no mention at all of Bahrain’s continuing crackdown.

(Geneva) – The United Nations Human Rights Council has taken a landmark step forward by addressing for the first time violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Belarus, Cote d'Ivoire, Human Rights Council (HRC), LGBT Rights, Libya, Press release, Syria, United Nations, Yemen | Comments Closed

Historic Decision at the United Nations

June 17th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

In a groundbreaking achievement for upholding the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a resolution on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity (L.9/Rev.1).

(Geneva) – In a groundbreaking achievement for upholding the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a resolution on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity (L.9/Rev.1).

Posted in Africa, LGBT Rights, Press release, South Africa, United Nations | Comments Closed

Italy: Leadership Needed on Rights

June 16th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Italy should take concrete steps to improve its human rights record and carry out the pledges it made as a new member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

(New York, June 16, 2011) – Italy should take concrete steps to improve its human rights record and carry out the pledges it made as a new member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Foreign Minister Franco Frattini released today.

Posted in Asylum Seekers, Europe/Central Asia, HRC, Human Rights Council, Human Rights in the European Union, Italy, LGBT Rights, Press release, Racism and Discrimination, United Nations | Comments Closed

Liechtenstein: Say ‘Yes’ to Same-Sex Partnerships

May 25th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The people of Liechtenstein should vote "yes" in the June 2011 referendum on whether their parliament should proceed to legalize same-sex partnerships.

(New York) – The people of Liechtenstein should vote "yes" in the June 2011 referendum on whether their parliament should proceed to legalize same-sex partnerships, Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Europe/Central Asia, LGBT Rights, Liechtenstein, Press release | Comments Closed

Appeal to Latvian Leaders to Support Recognition of Same-Sex Partnerships

May 24th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Valdis Zalters
President of the Republic of Latvia
Chancery of the President of Latvia
Pils Square 3, Riga, LV – 1900, Latvia

Saeima
Parliament of the Republic of Latvia
Latvijas Republikas Saeima
Jēkaba Iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia

Posted in Europe/Central Asia, Latvia, Letter, LGBT Rights | Comments Closed

Cameroon: ‘Sodomy’ Law Violates Basic Rights

May 17th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The March arrest, conviction, and sentencing of Roger Jean-Claude Mbede to three years in prison for being homosexual is a gross violation of Mbede’s rights to freedom of expression and equality guaranteed by the Cameroonian constitution, Alternatives-Cameroun, Association pour la Defense de l’Homosexualitè (ADEFHO), and Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Cameroon’s top leaders.

Posted in Africa, Cameroon, LGBT Rights, Press release | Comments Closed

Appeal to Cameroon’s Top Leaders to Overturn Conviction of Roger Jean-Claude Mbede

May 17th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Hon. Minister of Justice Amadou Ali
Ministry of Justice
Yaoundé
Cameroon

Mr. Martin Mbarga Nguélé
General Delegate of Security
Presidency of the Republic
Yaoundé
Cameroon

Mr. Jean Baptiste Bokam
Secretary of State for Defense
Ministry of Defense
Yaoundé
Cameroon

Dear Messrs. Ali, Nguélé, and Bokam,

Posted in Africa, Cameroon, Letter, LGBT Rights | Comments Closed

US/Uganda: 2011 Candidates for Homophobia “Hall of Shame”

May 16th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

A member of the Ugandan parliament and an American pastor are top 2011 candidates for the Homophobia Hall of Fame, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch made the announcement in advance of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17.

(New York) – A member of the Ugandan parliament and an American pastor are top 2011 candidates for the Homophobia Hall of Shame, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch made the announcement in advance of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17.

Posted in Africa, LGBT Rights, Press release, Uganda, United States | Comments Closed

Uganda: Parliament Committee Backs Anti-Homosexuality Bill

May 12th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Ugandan parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee has regrettably recommended passage of the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, including retaining the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” The committee’s report, as seen by Human Rights Watch, recommends amendments deleting some provisions but adding criminal penalties for “conduct[ing] a marriage ceremony between persons of the same sex.”

(Kampala) – The Ugandan parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee has regrettably recommended passage of the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, including retaining the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality," Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Africa, LGBT Rights, Press release, Uganda | Comments Closed

Uganda: Reject Anti-Homosexuality Bill

May 10th, 2011 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Ugandan parliament should reject the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that has been the subject of public hearings in recent days before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. The Parliamentary Order Paper of 10 May indicates that the bill could be debated by the Parliament and come up for a vote on May 11, 2011.

Posted in Africa, LGBT Rights, Press release, Uganda | Comments Closed