Charles Chauvel Labour Shadow Attorney-General, Justice Spokesperson and gay MP Charles Chauvel is delighted that Parliament has unanimously supported his resolution to condemn proposed homophobic legislation in two African nations. Chauvel’s resolution was loosely based on a resolution passed unanimously by the Australian Federal Senate late last year, and reads: “That this House note with grave concern both proposed legislation in Uganda, which would increase the penalties imposed in that country for certain consensual sexual activity between two adults in private; and the legislation under consideration in Nigeria, which would criminalise freedom of association and advocacy for same-sex couples and organisations; and state its hope and expectation that the New Zealand Government will urge other governments to uphold the rights of all people to their privacy and dignity in accordance with international law”. Chauvel says that it is important that Parliaments around the world should join in putting pressure on governments that are contemplating anti-gay laws. “My experience last year on the United Nations Global Commission on HIV and the Law reinforced for me how important it is to avoid laws such as those proposed by Uganda and Nigeria. They promote unhealthy public policy, support the spread of HIV/AIDS, and are repugnant to justice. “Even in our own region, they are problematic. In Samoa, as part of its review of its criminal code, there are three homophobic proposals under consideration. One would outlaw cross-dressing, another would confirm the old colonial anti-sodomy laws, and the third would criminalise kissing or other physical contact between those of the same sex who are not related to one another. “None of this is acceptable. New Zealand should speak out against it. And now a unanimous Parliamentary resolution reinforces this”.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 15th February 2013 - 9:49am