SA NOT SIGNING UN DECLARATION?
It appears as if South Africa is among the countries that will not be supporting a UN declaration calling for member states to decriminalise homosexuality.
The proposed declaration was initiated by France, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, and has been signed by all the countries of the European Union.
The draft declaration will be presented to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, the sixtieth anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. It is the first time the Assembly will deal with gay and lesbian rights.
According to Human Rights activist Peter Tatchell, only three African countries – Gabon, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau – have signed on to the document.
South Africa, which boasts the most gay-friendly legislation on the continent, has reportedly not yet agreed to support the initiative.
A recent Human Sciences Research Council survey claims that 80% of South Africans believe that homosexuality is wrong.
The US and Australia are among the democratic nations that have declined to support the declaration, says Tatchell. The Vatican and the Organisation of Islamic States are, unsurprisingly, vocally opposed to the initiative.
Homosexuality is illegal in 86 countries around the world. Lesbians and gays face the death penalty in at least seven nations.
Typo. France currently holds the EU presidency, not the UN. *wink*
typo. And “Deceleration” is wrong as well … it should be Declaration *shame mamba*
Oh dear…. Thanks for pointing these out.
Shame. People wake up this is only the start… how long will we have the “most gay-friendly legislation on the continent”?
Enjoy Hot House, Bronx, Factory, Legends they might become the ‘remember when’ scene while driving to some way-out/middle of nowhere dance hall where the bouncers will be on the lookout duty for police raids…
Enjoy Mamba, Exit & Gay Pages they might be deemed undesirable & harmful to the 80% majority…
Letter to Foreign affairs. Dear sirs
It has come to our attention that South Africa has not yet signed the
abovementioned UN Declaration.
In our Constitution, as I take it you know, the rights of homosexual (the
naming the Declaration states) or LGBTI (the preferred term) people are
protected and in according to legal principles, I am of the opinion that
South Africa is obliged to sign the Declaration.
The delay is quite baffling.
Your reply would be appreciated.
++++
You can write your own to:
ntsalubaa@foreign.gov.za; mamoepar@foreign.gov.za ; makhubelal@foreign.gov.za ; info@icd.gov.za ; pmongwe@icd.gov.za ; dphiri@icd.gov.za
UN Declaration. After reading the news story below, I am compelled to seek your support.As a proud South African I know that our Rainbow Nation’s Constitution includes amongst others, protections for sexual minorities. The thought that we are the first country in the world to have these kind of protections enshrined in our Constitution still makes my chest swell with pride as a South African. As a beacon of Equal Human Rights for ALL, South Africa should be the FIRST Nation to sign the UN deceleration on decriminalizing homosexuality and be part of the process to eradicate the stigmatization of the LGBTI community all over the world.
Human Rights must also include LGBTI Rights. People who form this group are human beings, every bit as much as heterosexuals, and therefore are entitled to the dignity and protection of such guarantees.
You must remember, the LGBTI community throughout the world are not seeking special treatment or consideration, only equality. Equality means sharing in all the rights and responsibilities such a guarantee encompasses. Therefore I urge you to apply pressure upon the South African government to be a positive example to other African nations and nations throughout the world. To deny people their Human Rights is an act of oppression and bigotry and a country such as South Africa, with its all encompassing Constitution, must be impelled to stand by its own legislation!
Sincerely
WTF. Fuck the UN Declararation
Fuck Heads