HRC Lauds Congressional Resolution Condemning International Human Rights
Violations Against GLBT People
Builds on 55-Year-Old Universal Declaration of Human Rights Guaranteeing
Rights of Individual Life, Liberty and Security
Human Rights Campaign,
November 20, 2003
1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20036-3278
Email: hrc@hrc.org
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Shields
Phone: (202) 216-1564
Cell: (202) 716-1637
Contact: J. Smith
Phone: (202) 216-1580
Cell: (202) 716-1650
WASHINGTON—The Human Rights Campaign lauded
today’s introduction of a bipartisan congressional resolution that condemns
international human rights violations committed against gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender people.
“In at least 80 countries, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people
are singled out under enforceable laws that often result in inhumane
punishment, including imprisonment, torture and even execution,” said Winnie
Stachelberg, HRC’s political director. “No human being, regardless of
their gender identity, gender expression or their sexual orientation, should
be subject to such cruel treatment. This resolution would condemn these
vicious forms of discrimination and violence.”
Passed in 1948 by the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights guarantees every human with the fundamental right to life, liberty and
security of person, and that every human should be free from torture and
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. However, in Zambia and
Zimbabwe, GLBT individuals are threatened and brutally assaulted for their
advocacy of equal rights. In Saudia Arabia, Yemen, Mauritania and Iran, GLBT
people face possible execution for adult, consensual same-sex relations.
This resolution, introduced by Reps. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., and Christopher
Shays, R-Conn., condemns all violations of international recognized human
rights norms based on the real or perceived sexual orientation or gender
identity of an individual.
“It has often been said that with great power comes great responsibility.
As one of the most fortunate and powerful country’s on the planet, the
United States has a tremendous responsibility to speak out and protect those
who may not be able to protect themselves,” said Christopher Labonte,
HRC’s deputy director for legislation. “The International Gay and Lesbian
Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International and the United Nations should
all be recognized for the hard work they’re doing to document these abuses.
We urge all members of the House to co-sponsor and adopt this important
resolution.”
For more information on these human rights violations, please visit www.iglhrc.org
or www.amnestyusa.org/outfront.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It
effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the
public to ensure that GLBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at
work and in the community.
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