Bill Would Condemn International LGBT Human Rights Violation
365Gay.com,
November 20, 2003
By Paul Johnson, 365Gay.com Newscenter, Washington Bureau Chief
Washington, D.C.—A bipartisan resolution has been
introduced in the House to condemn 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, the Human Rights Campaign’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.”
In 1948 the United Nations passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
which 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.
Nevertheless, a number of countries, including Zambia and Zimbabwe,
routinely threaten and assault GLBT individuals for their sexuality and the
advocacy of equal rights. In Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Mauritania and Iran, GLBT
people face possible execution for adult, consensual same-sex relations.
The 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.
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