Today is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Many international events will take place this day, intended to raise awareness about discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and to promote respect for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
The UK Government is committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBT people as an element of our wider international human rights work and in line with human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Despite this, for example, same-sex relations continue to be criminalised in over 70 countries and in some are punished by death.
The UK opposes all forms of violence and discrimination against LGBT people. We promote and protect the rights of LGBT people in the UK and abroad through international institutions, including the UN, EU, Council of Europe and the Commonwealth. Similar concerns led to South Africa introducing the UN Resolution on ‘Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity’ , which was passed last June. However much work still needs to be done in Africa and beyond.
Homosexuality is illegal in many African countries, including Ethiopia. And I understand that LGBT rights are a highly sensitive issue here. But I urge the Ethiopian government and people to protect and respect the human rights of LGBT people. Confronting discrimination and promoting open discussion on related issues is critical when it comes to changing attitudes and allowing LGBT people to play a full role in society. And to enable that society to benefit from the skills of all of its citizens.
Dear Mr. Ambassador,
First, I would like to say I’m a regular reader of your blogs, really like your perspectives most of the times.
However, I have some reservations when it comes to this one. I agree with you that respecting the rights of LGBT is a Human Rights issue. I also respect that their rights should be addressed all over the world.
But, I don’t think Ethiopia is a country for such a situation. I, as a citizen of Ethiopia, have grown up in a nation which has been very conservative when it comes to such practices. You should understand that it’s well beyond a HR issue here. It’s rather, a massive violation of religious norms. And, it can never be seen that way here in Ethiopia (I bet, at least for a century). It’s not that the nation (where mainly Christians and Muslims dominate), and ha been following the same religious practices and norms for a number of millenniums; it cannot be an issue for discussion – let alone rights are respected.
So, I’d like to ask you to reconsider your point, as Ethiopia is a country several issues around the glob are seen a different way.
Thank you for your blogs. I want to use this opportunity to say that other ambassadors and the diplomatic group uses such a platform to interact with the people.
My Very Best regards!
Kaleb H.
Dear Kaleb,
Many thanks for your views, for reading this blog and for your comments – both the positive and critical ones.
I should perhaps make clear that we are not urging any particular lifestyle on anyone. That’s a matter for personal choice, taking into account any moral considerations linked to an individual’s religion etc. What we are saying is that countries should observe the same basic human rights, flowing from international agreements, which also means extending the same freedoms to everyone irrespective of gender, disability, colour, religious background, race, nationality, ethnicity, age or – in this case- sexual orientation.
Most nations have at some stage or another been very restrictive on recognising all of these rights, including my own country. It may be easier, depending on the context, to see why some of these forms of discrimination are wrong than others. But in all cases discrimination means that certain groups in society are being marginalised and a nation may be missing out on exploiting the full range of talents of its citizens. I don’t think Ethiopia is different from any other country in that respect. (I’m a Christian, by the way.)
We don’t have to agree on everything. Someone, I can’t remember who, said that truth emerges from the clash of opinions: I firmly believe that to be true. So I hope you will go on reading these blogs and commenting when something strikes you.
Best wishes to you too,
Greg