Did you know that last week the United States voted against a United Nations declaration to decriminalize homosexuality? Apparently, the notion that..
sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention
...is too controversial for our representatives at the U.N. to support. In opposing this measure, the U.S. sided with Russia, China, the Vatican, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
Although the vote was held several days ago, I didn't know about it until it was posted on Foreign Policy magazine's (excellent) blog this afternoon. Had I paid more attention to theantidesi101's diary from last week, perhaps this wouldn't have caught me by surprise. Then again, there's another story sucking all of the oxygen from the room.
According to French secretary for human rights, Rama Yade, homosexuality is banned in nearly 80 countries. It can be punished by the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Sudan and Yemen.
The declaration, which affirms protection for sexual orientation and gender identity in the context of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reads in part:
We reaffirm the principle of non-discrimination which requires that human rights apply equally to every human being regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity;
Sponsored by France and the Netherlands, the declaration was signed by Canada, Mexico, the 27 members of the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand. Japan signed the declaration. Most countries in South America signed it, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela. Cuba signed it. Israel signed it. Even Gabon and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia signed it. The San Francisco Chronicle described the U.S. as "alone among major Western nations" in its opposition to the measure.
This is, according to Human Rights Watch, the first time that a statement condemning rights abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people has been presented in the General Assembly.
Deputy U.S. ambassador, Alejandro D. Wolff, cited legal technicalities:
We are opposed to any discrimination, legally or politically. But the nature of our federal system prevents us from undertaking commitments and engagements where federal authorities don't have jurisdiction.
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Verhagen, had this to say:
Human rights apply to all people in all places at all times. I will not accept any excuse.