Human Rights and Democracy - Official Documents

violations directly to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. These
discussions will continue throughout 2011.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights
The Government is committed to combating violence and discrimination against
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people as an integral part of its
international human rights work. As David Lidington stated in his message to mark
the International Day Against Homophobia on 17 May “Everybody, including gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender people should be free to enjoy the rights and
freedoms to which people of all nations are entitled.” Unfortunately this view is not
universally shared. Same-sex relations remain criminalised in more than 70
countries, while discrimination against LGBT people because of their sexual
orientation or gender identity continues to occur, even in countries where laws exist
to protect them. Where such illegality and inequality exists, LGBT people worldwide
continue to suffer persecution and human rights violations, while stigma and
discrimination of sexual minorities helps to fuel the HIV/AIDS epidemic as vulnerable
groups are marginalised and unable to access prevention, treatment and care
services.
We are at the forefront of international efforts to promote the human rights of LGBT
people. Through our embassies and high commissions and through international
organisations, including the UN, EU and the Council of Europe, we promote LGBT
equality and push for lasting change. In June, the Government published “Working
for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality” to guide our future work both
at home and abroad. This will ensure a more coordinated approach across the
Government and includes an unequivocal commitment to support gay rights
internationally.
There was some progress on LGBT rights globally in 2010. Several countries,
including Argentina, Iceland, Ireland and Portugal passed legislation which gave
legal recognition to same-sex couples. But there were also concerns. In Uganda,
the High Commission raised our concerns about a private member’s bill that would, if
introduced into law, further criminalise homosexuality in Uganda. In the Democratic
Republic of Congo, we pressed the government against introducing legislation to
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