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Sex Penalty Upheld |
Compiled By GayToday
The Court sat at 10:30 to hear Terry Munyard QC explain that this was a 'victimless crime', where all the participants were willing and no one was corrupted; that the sex took place in private behind closed doors, where no one was outraged or offended; that the video was not made for commercial purposes; and that the British Government has effectively abandoned its case against Euan Sutherland, recognizing that, since current legislation breaches the European Convention on Human Rights, the law must and will change. [The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, shortly to be debated in the House of Lords, is a direct consequence of this.]
Mr. Munyard commented afterwards: "The attitude of the Court to what they know is a violation of the European Convention is absolutely grotesque". Connell, undismayed by Friday's ruling, is determined to take his appeal to Europe. "The prejudice shown to black people in this country is akin to the prejudice shown to black people in America in the 60's", he said. "Although we will never be fully rid of racism or homophobia, the powers that be should be doing more to promote equality. The fight goes on." Connell was accompanied today by a number of friends, together with campaigners from OutRage! and CHE. John Hunt of OutRage! explained: "Nine months in prison (albeit suspended) seems out of all proportion for a blow-job in any circumstances. It is a bitter blow to have the sentence confirmed today: and, as counsel stated, it is a serious breach of the fundamental human right to equal treatment. "Last year's prosecution alone cost half a million pounds; and the costs of the appeal have not yet been calculated. How paranoid are the authorities in this benighted country that they spend hand over fist to persecute peaceful citizens? "Terry is to be commended in his resolve to continue fighting injustice. We will continue to support his appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, (which ruled in October 1997 that Britain's unequal age of consent is unlawful)." [Monday the European Court found prima facie evidence of breaches by the MoD of Articles 3 (torture and degrading treatment), Article 8 (Privacy) and Articles 12 and 14 (right to enjoy rights without discrimination!) in its treatment of lesbian and gay personnel. It is to be expected that they will find similarly in this case.] |