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ILGA World Conference condemns attacks on rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people

13th December 2012:

ILGA World Conference condemns attacks on rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people

The 450 participants from 103 countries who are assembled in Stockholm for the ILGA World Conference strongly condemn the initiatives of the parliaments and governments in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Nigeria and Uganda as well as in Russia and Ukraine, to outlaw homosexuality or “homosexual propaganda”, and the increased implementation of the ban on homosexuality in Cameroon.

The ILGA World Conference demands respect and fair treatment for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

The delegates of the Conference echo the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, his speech at the UN special event on December 11th and his message to the ILGA Conference: “Let me say this loud and clear: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people are entitled to the same rights as everyone else.”

The ILGA World Conference call upon the political leaders to take on their moral obligation to stand up for minority rights, and we urge the parliaments and governments of Cameroon, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda, Russia and Ukraine to respect the universal fundamental human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people by withdrawing the bills and change the laws.
The infringements on the human rights of LGBTI people:

  • The authorities in Cameroon are increasingly implementing the ban on homosexuality and are imprisoning gays and lesbians.
  • The Liberian Parliament has introduced a bill that would expand the ban on gay sexual relationships to any person who “seduces, encourages, or promotes another person of the same gender to engage into sexual activities.” The bill also prohibits same-sex marriage.
  • The Nigerian bill against homosexuals which would impose prison sentences for same-sex marriages and for persons or groups that “witness, abet and aids the solemnization of a same sex marriage or union” or “supports” gay groups, “processions or meetings, as well as anyone who registers gay clubs and organizations protecting the rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people.
  • The ban on “homosexual propaganda among minors” in Russia will violate, among others, freedom of speech, expression, and association, as well as the right to assembly and the right of access to information. Moreover, the discussed provisions violate Russia’s obligations under international and Russian national law.
  • The Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda which contains harsh provisions that would threaten the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. This would also threaten the ability of some human rights organisations to continue operating
  • The ban on “homosexual propaganda” in Ukraine will severely restrict the fundamental rights of LGBTI citizens, amongst others freedom of speech and expression, the right to assembly and freedom of association.

Facts about the ILGA World Conference:

10 to 16 December 2012, 450 activists from 103 countries gather in Stockholm for the World Conference.

The ILGA conferences, which have been held since 1978 are the place where members and allies of the only federation of LGBTI organisations meet to share their experience and best practices, strategize, build alliances and partnerships and elect their representatives.

The highest authority of ILGA is its World Conference, during which Member Organizations, the Executive Board, the Women Secretariat, the Trans Secretariats, the Regional Executive Boards, and many other allies gather together to strategize, network, endorse new members, shape the life of ILGA via proposals and constitutional changes, and to vote for the election of the Co-Secretaries General, the Women’s Secretariat and the Trans Secretariat.