Pakistan opposes UN discussion on violence against LGBT
Prior to the panel discussion scheduled for March 7, 2012 in Geneva, Pakistani Ambassador to the UN, Zamir Akram in a letter to the UN Human Rights Council stated that LGBT rights have “nothing to do with fundamental human rights.”
Writing on behalf of Pakistan and the OIC, Akram’s letter further states that same-sex relationships are “abnormal sexual behaviour” and that “the issue of sexual orientation is unacceptable to the OIC.”
“We note with concern the attempts to create controversial “new notions” or “new standards” by misinterpreting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international treaties to include such notions that were never articulated or agreed to by the UN membership,” the letter reads.
In a concluding note about the scheduled 19th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the letter states that, “the Member States of the OIC would like to place on record their opposition to the holding of this panel and will not accept its considerations and recommendations.”
Despite opposition by the OIC, it is expected that the UN panel will reaffirm its commitment to fighting discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
In 2011, the UN Human Rights Council passed a historic resolution that sought equal rights for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation, marking progress for gay rights despite strong Arab and African opposition.
The resolution was passed narrowly with 23 votes in favour, 19 against and three abstentions.
COMMENTS (58)
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If OIC has any self respect left in it, its members should resign from the UNO and create a parallel organization made up of Muslim countries. Unless it does so, it will continue to be treated as Organization of Impotent Countries.
In the land of the pure this is not an issue and therefore does not need to be addressed. When someone is in fact identified LG they are removed from the land of the pure.
This is just another divisive agenda by the West under the guise of human rights. The same people who are destroying our Constitution and groping children's bodies at checkpoints suddenly care about gblt rights? It's divide and conquer. Hey, the US army once tried to make a gay bomb for the battlefield. Look it up. Think and wake up!
as if the OIC coutries have respected the funadmental rights of their own people, minorities, women that they would respect these poor folks. LGBT folks, you have a long way to go but I am sure your rights will be recognized one day. Keep struggling.
The LGBT rights have nothing to do with Human Rights indeed. State must supress these kind of activities when it comes to the best interest of society.
Its irony...UN is criminally ignoring the violence against poor by west and US who have killed millions in iraq, afghanistan etc and shedding crocodile tears over the social status of gays and lesbians
Thank you Pakistan, We can always depend on Pakistan and OIC to prove most allegations an stereotypes against muslims to be true
This is for all the people upset by the flag graphic youtube video link
Love is a fundamental human right.
Religion causes the brain to function slower... this proves it and those who are talking about folks having some sense of islam are just as ignorant to their own religion. they allowed the clerics and homophobes to make it a matter of islam but have no idea what their own faith says...
but it makes sense... as i said the brain slows when you are religious.. this is a proven fact.
@SalSal:
"Yes islam has allowed slavery. But not the oppressive slavery which we know. In Islam you need to treat your slave properly. You can’t beat them, what you wear u should give them that to wear, you should treat them equally and give them food which you would eat. That’s the reason why slavery is almost non existent in the Muslim world. Because it was so difficult to keep treating them equally that people would free them. Watch Hassan Nisar talk about slavery in Islam"
This is similar to what the Confederate States were saying before the American civil war. They were claiming they treat their "n**rs" so well that there is no reason to complain! Please read what you just wrote, so it is all fine as long as the slaves are treated "well". Thus slavery is fine but it couldn't be kept up because it was difficult to "treat them equally" ? Where does the question of equality comes when slavery means you OWN a human being?
I am sorry to digress from the main topic, but I find it pathetic when people try to justify and excuse slavery using spurious arguments instead of condemning it outright as a grossly immoral and anti-human practice.
The comments here at least are indicative of how powerful is media; it has reached to people even this idiotic and senseless.
@truthbetold Yes islam has allowed slavery. But not the oppressive slavery which we know. In Islam you need to treat your slave properly. You can't beat them, what you wear u should give them that to wear, you should treat them equally and give them food which you would eat. That's the reason why slavery is almost non existent in the Muslim world. Because it was so difficult to keep treating them equally that people would free them. Watch Hassan Nisar talk about slavery in Islam
@Waqas ur Rahman:
"This statement clearly shows ur unfamiliar with ISLAM. 1st study Islam and then come up with such statement. Islam is against this curse of Slavery. It is Islam which stood against this curse."
I think you need to study the scriptures more thoroughly. If you do, you will find that slavery is indeed sanctioned in Islam. I could easily point you to the appropriate verses but it would be better if you do it yourself objectively.
@double-standardz: @Fasih:
This is the Official Flag of LGBT group or association in Pakistan. According to them, the different colors represent the different sections / shades of the society. There was a LGBT gathering in Pakistan recently where they first unveiled this flag. I read about in many Pakistan newspapers. ET did not make this flag on its own.
@Sumera: what an insane comment (the first bit)
@Truthbetold: "Since you want to follow whatever Islam preaches, are you in favor of slavery, which Islam sanctions?"
This statement clearly shows ur unfamiliar with ISLAM. 1st study Islam and then come up with such statement. Islam is against this curse of Slavery. It is Islam which stood against this curse. Watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1nuoovckag
PM should call for a special session of All Parties conference and the Parliament should pass an Unanimous Resolution either supporting or denouncing the UN move. It does not matter either way as all unanimous resolutions of the Parliament or Assemblies so far have been useless only.
BTW, we do not hear "Long March" these days, Only hear about Unanimous Resolutions. Have Long Marches gone out of trend ?
just proves what a regressive society we are. another stain of shame on Pakistan.
Good Decision as a Islamic Country Supporteurs leave to INDIA which support the LGBT rights..
do decision pakistan
well done OIC . Every Muslim knows what happened with Hazrat Loot's followers . One supporting this cause should fear from Allah's wrath !.
You guys just keep getting better and better at making sure everyone knows you're intolerant hypocrites. You also want people to respect your religion but you don't respect anything anyone else believes. Your thousand cuts lines can't be more perfect for what many of the people are. Parasites. Eating away at the entire planet with no positive after effects. Just a lot inconveniences after blood.
Israel is also opposing this along Argentina. Well done Pakistan
@mindless, Thank you for enlightening us. As a courtesy, please reference the scientific articles which have concluded that "it is a mental choice and preferences which we prefer and make."
It is an utter shame that we are mostly trying to find excuses to HATE others, for their life choices, for their freedoms and for everything that they might do. I think the way LGBT rights have been considered separate from basic human rights is an utter irresponsible and sick minded behaviour towards human preferences. State does not decide how one wants to run their life, state is there to facilitate them. As long as one does not kill or cause a bodily harm oto others (which most politicians in Pakistan do), they must be free to exercise their own life.............btw, did anyone see the karokari ghairat of sindh today?
Atleast KP and Southern Afghanistan should have disagreed with OIC.
@Indikid, Are you gay?. I once asked a gay in Amsterdam what it is like to be a gay?, he replied: take a 6 inch and still smile. Making an excuse that it is not by choice or something like that sort is complete hypothesis. Scientifically it is mental choice and preferences which we prefer and make. Pakistan should oppose this, and by the way Pakistan is not alone to oppose it, Israel as well is opposing it, Argentina and many others.
Since when is it a society's role to dictate what someone does in the privacy of their own home that doesn't infringe on the rights of other? These are human beings who are often subjected to cruel, inhumane, and unjust treatment that is unacceptable. It is not our role to regulate morality, it is our role to protect the rights of individuals.
And freedom comes with limitations. Just like how ET gives us the freedom of speech but also moderates our comments because some comments are just not acceptable
Men never commit evil so fully and joyfully as when they do it for religious convictions - Blaise Pascal.
@SalSal:
Well said. I see some seriously prejudiced comments here. The word "mullah" is thrown around these days the way the word "nigger" was thrown around in the US in the earlier part of the last century. These "liberals" really need to examine their ideas of tolerance
I'm really glad the resolution passed, though ashamed of Pakistan for opposing the discussion. May God protect gay and lesbian people everywhere.
@faraz. Agree 100% with your observation. Couldn't have worded it better myself.
It's called "a discussion" - that's were you get to express your thoughts on a subject - if you don't like gays then show up and say so - beats suicide bombing and beheading everyday.
Thats a right thing we are doing in many years; UN has lost its mind along with the West
we are Hippocrates,we commit every thing but never admit.many of us homo ,lesbian and so on,but publically we oppose this phenomn
anybody noticed what this news site has done with Pakistani flag ? its sheer disrespect they must apologize over its act ....we cant accept everything which is painted here,.,,.but here ...who cares i forget..
So according to OIC, marrying children is ok, but guaranteeing the rights of LGBT is not?
If morals defined by religion are universal and constant, then why did all major religions accept slavery? Why were slaves treated as subhumans? Why is extramarital relationship with a female slave allowed in Islam? For centuries, the religions declared that females have low intellect; now as society has evolved, mullahs have slightly retreated from their previous stance. Similarly, the mullahs don’t talk of collecting jizya from non-Muslims, not because it isn’t allowed in religion, but because it’s morally repugnant. Read medieval religious thought, you will realize that morality has evolved and it’s not universal and constant as proclaimed by all religions.
good move by oic members.
Much like other fundamental rights to justice, clean water, electricity and more PK govt is denying LGBT the rights they very simply should have. Religion and state are separate institutions, I wonder when will Pakistanis realize this?
How muslim is Pakistan? Corruption, hipocracy, inequality, in justice - you name it and Pakistan leads the way in all of above and more!
Dont like the flag in these colors...
While I have nothing to add to this discussion, I detest the graphic above. Please don't desecrate the Pakistani flag by adding the universally known gay rainbow background. You could've published your story without defacing the flag. Please be sensitive to Pakistani sentiments when publishing your stories.
@zeeshan malik: Your observation is spot on! One look at the member countries of the OIC shows some of the most intolerant countries in the world. Kudos to the UN panel for dragging these recalcitrants towards a more tolerant world, despite their kicking and screaming.
True, the preachers of Islam are mostly the offenders in children rape cases and this should be brought to light especially in the Muslim countries where such issues remian taboo. However, it does not and should not justify the LGBT rights.
@faisal khan: I agree. This is the most horrible things could ever reach here
"LGBT rights have “nothing to do with fundamental human rights.”
This attitude is expected as minority rights are also not fundamental rights in PAK , or for that matter in all OIC countries.
Inheritance, power of attorney, co-guarantor status, right to decent and free living without fear of intimidation, access to health and human services all fall under the LGBT rights, genius.
What "sin" did trangender people do or what "sin" did GLB group do that others don't do.
Thank God, they still have some sense of Islam.
Thanks God... Now it seems that Pakistan is a Muslim State ,,, Proud to be Muslim,,, Proud to be Pakistani.... :)
damnnnn UN
The opposition to talks on violence against LGBT community coming from the organisation of islamic conference. Why isn't this a surprise?
woah!! How deep does the hate run.They aren't even prepared to allow a discussion on LGBT rights.This shows the extent to which our society's obsession with religion has destroyed our social fabric.We are so hatefilled and bigoted that we've gone to the extent of disallowing even talking about LGBT rights.
For all those people in the West who complain about homophobia,they should take a look at a society which refuses to allow even TALKS on it.
let the comment pandora box open!