Alex Salmond pushed to condemn homophobic laws in the Commonwealth
Ahead of the launch of the Commonwealth Games today in Glasgow, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has been urged to reject anti-gay laws.
Noting that there are still 42 Commonwealth nations where being gay can lead to a prison sentence, human rights campaign group the Peter Tatchell foundation asked Mr Salmond to condemn anti-gay laws.
The foundation also asked Mr Salmond to welcome LGBT athletes to Glasgow.
“We urge himĀ to appeal to all participating countries to adhere to Article 7Ā of the Commonwealth Games Federation constitution, which prohibits all discrimination,” saidĀ PeterĀ Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, theĀ PeterĀ TatchellĀ Foundation.
“Countries that refuse to support Article 7 – orĀ thatĀ perpetuate discrimination in accessĀ to sportsĀ facilities, training camps or team selection –Ā should be barred from participating in the Commonwealth Games. IfĀ they are not prepared to abide by Article 7 they have no right to come to Glasgow or future Commonwealth Games.Ā
Ā
“Eighty per centĀ of Commonwealth countries discriminate against LGBTI people. The intensityĀ of homophobia inĀ these countries is so great that it isĀ very unlikely that they would select aĀ LGBTI athlete to compete in Glasgow. I can’t imagine homophobic states likeĀ Uganda, Brunei or Nigeria selecting a LGBTI athlete. They are more likely to jail them than send them to Glasgow.Ā
Ā
“In addition, there isĀ widespread gender and ethnicĀ discrimination in many Commonwealth countries, which alsoĀ inhibits equal,Ā open and fair selection for the national teams coming to Glasgow.Ā
Ā
“The Commonwealth Games organisers need to take a tougher line against countries that discriminate. Although the Glasgow 2014 administratorsĀ are commendablyĀ committed to equality and diversity, they have disappointingly not agreed to theĀ PeterĀ TatchellĀ Foundation’s request to require all participating nations to sign a pledge to uphold Article 7,” said MrĀ Tatchell.
The Peter Tatchell FoundationĀ has also written to the Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, David Grevemberg to urging all Commonwealth nations to sign a nondiscrimination. pledge.
Ā
Ā
