Pakistan, OIC boycott UN debate on gay rights

LONDON: Pakistan and other Islamic countries have declined to attend a discussion in the United Nations on gay human rights, which has drawn condemnation from an internationally renowned gay and human rights activist.

Zamir Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN and coordinator of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) group on Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues, has circulated a letter on behalf of the 56 Islamic countries that the OIC members states will not attend a panel on “Discrimination and Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” on 7th March.

London based international human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, who has devoted his entire life to the cause of gay and human rights of the disadvantaged, told The News that Pakistan has signed up to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees equal treatment and non-discrimination to all people.

“Yet Pakistan now opposes a UN panel discussing discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Even most governments that disagree with homosexuality agree that violence against anyone, including sexual minorities, is wrong. “The bigoted stance of the Pakistani Ambassador to the UN, Zamir Akram, is ill-informed about human sexuality and human rights law. He is living in the Dark Ages, ignoring scientific understanding and humanitarian ethics.”

Peter Tatchell urged the Pakistani president and prime minister to repudiate the “intolerant, ignorant letter” because it “casts the government of Pakistan in a bad light”.

The letter, a copy of which is available with The News, states that OIC member states “have been consistent in their opposition to the consideration of these controversial notions in the context of human right” and “will not accept its considerations and recommendations.”

The letter says: “We are even more disturbed at the attempt to focus on certain persons on the grounds of their abnormal sexual behaviour, while not focusing on the glaring instances of intolerance and discrimination in various parts of the world, be it on the basis of colour, race, gender or religion, to mention only a few.

“The OIC Member States are concerned that the Panel will discuss issues that relate to personal behavior and preferences, and have nothing to do with fundamental human rights. This debate will shift the focus from the real issues that deserve the attention of the Council.


(2012-03-04/thenews)