Highlighting the Commonwealth’s Shameful Anti-LGBTQ+ Persecution

Protestors recently took to the streets of London to condemn leaders from the 29 Commonwealth countries that continue to criminalise consensual same-sex intimacy.

The demonstration, organised by the Peter Tatchell Foundation, took place outside Westminster Abbey on Monday, 10 March, as dignitaries arrived for the annual Commonwealth Day service.

The 80-strong group included several LGBTQ+ refugees who have fled persecution in Commonwealth nations.

Messages Against Discrimination

The demonstrators held up placards with messages such as “Commonwealth: 75 years of anti-LGBT+ persecution. Repeal anti-LGBT+ laws” and “Commonwealth fails to condemn persecution of LGBT+ people”.

Their chants echoed through the streets, including: “Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Commonwealth homophobia has got to go!” and “2-4-6-8, Commonwealth is full of hate!”

The Commonwealth is an association of 56 nations, most of which are former British colonies. 

Tatchell: ‘The Commonwealth Presides Over Persecution’

“As the Commonwealth celebrates, we mourn,” said longstanding human rights activist and protest organiser Peter Tatchell in a statement, accusing homophobic member states of presiding over state-sanctioned persecution of their LGBTQ+ citizens.

“Twenty-nine out of 56 Commonwealth countries criminalise homosexuality, mostly under British colonial-era laws,” he continued.

“Six impose life imprisonment, while Nigeria, Brunei and Uganda have the death penalty. Millions of LGBT+ Commonwealth citizens face arrest, imprisonment, mob violence, and discrimination in employment, housing, education and healthcare.”

The six Commonwealth countries that impose life imprisonment for same-sex acts are Bangladesh, Guyana, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Commonwealth Leaders Condemned for Silence

Edwin Sesange, a Ugandan LGBTQ+ refugee and spokesperson for the African Equality Foundation, also condemned the Commonwealth’s inaction.

“Shame on the Commonwealth for failing to uphold its own Charter and for not defending the human rights of all Commonwealth citizens. The jailing and murder of LGBT+ people is a crime against humanity,” he said.

Tatchell criticised Commonwealth leaders for refusing to discuss LGBTQ+ rights at their summits for 75 years. He also accused Patricia Scotland, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, of failing to speak out against these abuses or defend persecuted LGBTQ+ people.

“Countries that criminalise LGBT+ people should be suspended from the Commonwealth,” Tatchell insisted.

The protestors called on all Commonwealth governments to decriminalise same-sex relations, prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, enforce laws against hate crimes and to engage in dialogue with LGBTQ+ organisations.