In an absolutely abhorrent move, the General Assembly of the United Nations has voted to remove being gay as a reason to condemn executions. The condemnation has included homosexuality for the last ten years, but the Kingdom of Morocco moved an amendment removing any references to gays, and the amendment passed by 9 votes: 79-70, with ten abstentions. Particularly shocking, though, is the fact that FIVE of those countries favouring the amendment were Realms of the Commonwealth of Nations, with our same shared constitutional monarchy, and there were FIVE Commonwealth Realms who abstained or just weren't there. And remember, these are just the Realms--there were many other Commonwealth countries who no longer have Her Majesty as head of State, who favoured the amendment, too.
Commonwealth nations should seek to be an example to the world, and particularly the Realms; we should feverishly condemn the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Jamaica, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for having voted clearly contrary to the purpose and interests of the Commonwealth. We should also condemn Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, and Tuvalu, for having stood on the fence, and where the heck were the Solomon Islands?
This is unacceptable.
And for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to have favoured the amendment, too--when they seek our help in restoring order and protecting human rights--is a complete joke, not to mention the decision of the Republic of Haïti to do the same. I encourage members to communicate outrage with The Honourable Lawrence Cannon P.C., M.P. (Pontiac), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, your honourable senators and members of the House of Commons, and even the governments of the above nations. One step forward, two steps back, it would seem.
Who can you contact?
Commonwealth nations should seek to be an example to the world, and particularly the Realms; we should feverishly condemn the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Jamaica, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for having voted clearly contrary to the purpose and interests of the Commonwealth. We should also condemn Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, and Tuvalu, for having stood on the fence, and where the heck were the Solomon Islands?
This is unacceptable.
And for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to have favoured the amendment, too--when they seek our help in restoring order and protecting human rights--is a complete joke, not to mention the decision of the Republic of Haïti to do the same. I encourage members to communicate outrage with The Honourable Lawrence Cannon P.C., M.P. (Pontiac), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, your honourable senators and members of the House of Commons, and even the governments of the above nations. One step forward, two steps back, it would seem.
Who can you contact?
- The Hon. Lawrence Cannon
- ph 1 (613) 992-5516
- em send the minister an e-mail
- Members of the Senate (current senators)
- Members of the House of Commons (current members)
- The National Post: homepage / The United Nations of homophobia
- Slap Upside the Head: homepage / UN Removes Gays From Execution Protections