UN to consider 'global decriminalization of homosexuality' declaration on 60th Human Rights Day
December 9, 4:03 AM
by Sarah Estrella, Sex & Relationships Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-1916-Sex--Relationships-Examiner~y2008m12d9-UN-to-consider-global-decriminalization-of-homosexuality-declaration-on-Human-Rights-Day Tomorrow (December 10) the United Nations celebrates Human Rights Day, the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And, for the first time in its history, the UN General Assembly will consider the issue of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights.
Peter Tatchell's editorial A watershed for gay rights at
guardian.co.uk is a must-read for understanding the significance and international context of this declaration calling for the global decriminalization of homosexuality.
As Tatchell grimly notes, "86 countries (nearly half the nations on Earth) still have a total ban on male homosexuality and a smaller number also ban sex between women. The penalties in these countries range from a few years jail to life imprisonment. In at least seven countries or regions of countries (all under Islamist jurisdiction), the sentence is death: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Mauritania and parts of Nigeria and Pakistan."
