|
Compiled by GayToday
 Rep. Tom Lantos |
Washington, D.C.--The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
endorsed a measure yesterday sponsored by Rep. Tom Lantos,
Democrat-California, that condemns human rights violations against
members of the global gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT)
community. A press conference introducing the resolution is being held at
11 a.m. today at the House of Representatives Press Triangle. |
"Countries such as Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Turkey, and others condone
abuses such as execution, torture, sexual assault, and imprisonment
against members of the GLBT community--often at the hands of state
agencies," said NGLTF Executive Director Kerry Lobel.
"The time for letting these events go unnoticed and accepted must end."
Rep. Lantos' resolution states that Congress "condemns all violations
of internationally recognized norms based on the real or perceived
sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual."
|
His resolution further states that such violations should be given the same consideration
and concern as human rights violations based on other grounds.
His resolution commends groups such as Amnesty International, Human
Rights Watch, and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights
Commission for their work in documenting the abuses against individuals
worldwide based on sexual orientation.
"Every day, men and women around the world are denied basic human rights -
such as the protection against torture, extrajudicial execution and sexual
assault - on the basis of their real or perceived sexual orientation,
and often governments fail to investigate or prosecute human rights
violations for this reason," said Rep. Lantos.
|
Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Iranian Gays Bravely Unite Worldwide
Colombia's Gay Equality Bill is Dead
Attempted 'Arrest'
of African Dictator Gets Results
Related Sites:
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
Congressman
Tom Lantos
GayToday does not endorse related sites.
|
"Our resolution would put the United States Congress on record against
any human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity."
"This resolution is an important step toward eliminating human rights
violations and violence against members of the worldwide GLBT community,"
said Blake Cornish, NGLTF federal legislative lawyer.
"A recognition and condemnation by the Congress of the United States will send a
strong signal to governments and other state agencies worldwide that
human rights abuse and violence on the basis of sexual orientation
and gender identity will not be tolerated."
As of the afternoon of Tuesday, February 29, the measure had 15
co-sponsors.
|
