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United Nations: ARAB and AFRICAN Countries Vote for Gay Execution

Posted by: Lez Get Real on November 20, 2010.

Melanie Nathan; 11-20-2010; United Nations, NY;    Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people were once again subject to the whims of homophobia and religious and cultural extremism this week, thanks to a United Nations vote that removed “sexual orientation” from a resolution that protects people from arbitrary executions.

In other words, the UN General Assembly this week voted to allow LGBT people to be executed without cause. Well that is the way we ought to view it, especially in the face of recent events in Africa, where legislation has been suggested in Uganda, for example, making homosexuality punishable by death.

The UN General Assembly’s Third Committee on Social, Cultural and Humanitarian issues removed “sexual orientation” from a resolution addressing extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions this past week in a vote that was overwhelming represented by a majority of African, Middle East and Carribean nations.  For a UN committee that addresses human rights questions that affect people all over the world, by removing protections for LGBT persons from a category of arbitrary executions,  belies the objective and purpose of a committee whose  focus this year is “on the examination of human rights questions,” according to its website.  see the whole article here:
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/un-general-assembly-votes-to-allow-gays-to-be-executed-without-cause/politics/2010/11/20/15449?

“The UN vote is in direct defiance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees equal treatment, non-discrimination and the right to life. What is the point of the UN if it refuses to uphold its own humanitarian values and declarations?

According to the post, The U.K. gay rights and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said,  “This is a shameful day in United Nations history. It gives a de facto green light to the on-going murder of LGBT people by homophobic regimes, death squads and vigilantes. They will take comfort from the fact that the UN does not endorse the protection of LGBT people against hate-motivated murder.

In an issued statement explaining the U.S. vote, a representative of the U.S. UN delegation said,

At the outset, let me say that the United States strongly agrees with and appreciates the cosponsors’ efforts to retain language specifically condemning ESAs [extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions] targeting vulnerable groups, particularly members of the LGBT community, and we were dismayed that this reference could not survive an unfriendly amendment.

‘Bromley expressed great disappointment in losing all the Southern African countries on the vote, including Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Nambia and South Africa, the latter, whose domestic laws and record on LGBT civil rights have held great regard throughout the world.  Nonetheless, according to Bromley, from the days of  former President Thabo Mbeki through present day leader Jacob Zuma, South Africa has been recalcitrant in its opposition to extending human rights to LGBT persons within international legal structures.’

The South African vote is hypocritical and irresponsible and I call for local South African LGBT groups to call out the so called all inclusive ANC and ZUMA on this irresponsible and erratic vote.

Another region that unanimously supported the removal of sexual orientation from the resolution were the Carribean nations.  Most noteworthy was the support from the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.

For a comprehensive report on the vote, go to the International Gay and Lesbians Human Rights Commission press release that outlines countries who voted in support, abstained or were absent.  

SOURCE : http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/un-general-assembly-votes-to-allow-gays-to-be-executed-without-cause/politics/2010/11/20/15449?

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

Today’s writing is dedicated to my Late Mother, Professor Carmen Nathan, of blessed memory, who passed away at my age, 20 years ago. Always to be remembered. Today would have been her Birthday. Mom Wrote a book called “You Your Family & the Law” in South Africa and included Same-Sex families in her writing. I was not out to my mom at the time, – I did the back Index to the book, while a final year law student in SA. I Still Miss my Mom. Today would have been a Happy Birthday. Mom was honored by the Tswana Tribe for her work, receiving the coveted ORDER of THE LEOPARD; She is buried in the Chief ‘s Mangope Graveyard – in Motswedi Bophuthatswana, Africa, a Great Honor to our family;   her dying wish for a Tswana-Jewish Burial.

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15 Responses to United Nations: ARAB and AFRICAN Countries Vote for Gay Execution

  1. Deborah Kasner Reply

    December 2, 2010 at 10:09 pm

    Interesting how you have claimed that this article was written by you despite your nod to Tanya Domi and The New Civil Rights Movement at the bottom. I am the woman who sits up nights with Tanya offering editorial input and I could swear that this is her article reprinted word for word, yet you list yourself as the author. From one sister to another hun, this is VERY poor form. Tanya puts a great deal of work into her writing and I’m sure your readers assume you do too. I like much of your “work” but now I have to wonder and so do the rest of your readers how much, if any of it is actually yours.

    • Deborah Kasner

      December 2, 2010 at 10:22 pm

      and really- dedicating it to your mother?????

      Would she really be proud of you for this?

    • Melanie Nathan

      December 2, 2010 at 10:32 pm

      Let me explain that a great amount of it came from the Press release that was sent to me. Maybe she saw the same one. I named her as a source because it was indeed a source – you will note when I Refer to “the POST” and other source in body. So in bloggers world we are constantly posting from others , sourcing and commenting – its a little different to articles that are researched for days when it stems from news and Press releases. This is a story I had been following. Most bloggers like to be sourced and linked in because it drives more traffic. So if LGR gets 200,000 hits in a month from our supporters it will give the blogs we source get more traffic and it works all round. This is news its not a thesis – after a few days its gone and nobody cares!!! Ifshe quoted me on her blog and noted me as a source I would be very happy. Thanks for the comment.

    • Deborah Kasner

      December 2, 2010 at 11:11 pm

      If Tanya wants to respond, then she will respond. I am not speaking for her. I am speaking for myself, do not religate me to the position of puppet for my partner. I have my own voice. i understand the rules of the blogosphere and I hope we have not lost all respect for intellectual property. You flatter yourself if you think you are the only one with the chutzpah to say half of what you say and you denigrate the integrity of what you do say when you use the ideas of other as your own. This is not chutztpah, it is simply plagarism. As I said earlier. I respect your work. Since I am not in the room with any of your other colleagues, I have no way of knowing what belongs to you and what doesen’t. You will show real chutzpah when you own your own words and give others credit for theirs.

    • Melanie Nathan

      December 2, 2010 at 11:30 pm

      You missed the point. I was not reflecting on this article when talking about chutzpah; I was referring to others and relating it to my work where my ideas are unique and do not quote others. Accusing one of plagarism when quoting directly, naming source is somewhat offensive, but I shall take it from whence it comes. You did not reveal in your comment that the author is your partner – but you did say that you spend time with the author. As her partner I imagine you do speak for her, albeit inadvertent, if not perhaps your comments would be less relevant than they are. You inserted the personal connection into your comment – so that did not come from me. I gave the credit by sourcing the article – what part of that did you not see? I have been writing about Africa for years – I was born in South Africa and practiced law there – I am intimately familiar with the politics and nuances of Africa, including having my won sources within his administration and beyond. I do not need to copy any one’s work. What you don’t get is that the opinion expressed by me is a repetition of what I have said many times before, but now presents in the context of the UN news story. While I have deep insight into Africa and its problems, I do not for one minute presume my ideas to be unique and neither do I imagine that anyone else would think their ideas and opinions are unique. If I have to incur your wrath again, I would rather not source the same BLOG.

    • Melanie Nathan

      December 2, 2010 at 11:35 pm

      * Huge Blow By United Nations ‘Death’ Endorsment (lezgetreal.com)
      * Gay human rights groups: Governments remove sexual orientation from UN resolution condemning executions (miamiherald.typepad.com)
      * Arab & African Nations Block UN Resolution Condemning Executions Of Homosexuals (joemygod.blogspot.com)
      * How the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Threw LGBT People Under a Bus (gayrights.change.org)
      * Governments Remove Sexual Orientation from Resolution Condemning … Summary or Arbitrary Executions (topix.net)
      * GILLIBRAND – DURBAN III Conference “AN INSULT TO AMERICA” (lezgetreal.com)

    • Melanie Nathan

      December 2, 2010 at 10:38 pm

      Actually all my Posting on my Mom’s Birthday was dedicated to her. I write a great amount of material that is direct to me and when Others BLOG it I am happy that the world shares the information especially of there is an opinion to be garnished.

    • Deborah Kasner

      December 2, 2010 at 11:00 pm

      yes- I do see one other article written on that day dedicated to you mother, may her memory be for a blessing

    • Melanie Nathan

      December 2, 2010 at 10:44 pm

      One more thing- My work is unpaid- I spend 16 hours a day on advocacy and writing – all pro bono. The blog is a platform for this advocacy – I have no financial gain quoting anyone else’s news.

    • Melanie Nathan

      December 2, 2010 at 10:43 pm

      I don’t think anyone has the chutzpah to write half of what I write – see for yourself! Also By the way I quote the article in the body as well as in the end as source. If the writer does not want me to quote her or refer to her work, then I hope I would hear from her; I would be delighted to support those who appreciate the links and references.

  2. Sidney Reply

    November 22, 2010 at 6:38 am

    The AntiChrist will kill the LGBTQ people first. They are a easy target everyone can get behind in their hatred. Then it will make it much easier to point the finger to religion for all the woes of the world. Everyone will agree because religion will have wholesale slaughtered at least 10% of the worlds population in their hatred.

    • Bridgette P. LaVictoire

      November 22, 2010 at 8:08 am

      More than ten percent. Closer to fifteen percent. Of course, the rest of what you just said made very little sense.

  3. Oliver Reply

    November 22, 2010 at 3:51 am

    Terribly dissapointing. The South African vote is indeed hypocritical, as our constitution (as set up under Nelson Mandela) protects LGBT people under discrimination laws, yet our current president Jacob Zuma is a known homophobe. Being gay in South Africa isn’t easy – if you happen to live in a liberal area (like Cape Town) it’s ok, but those in rural areas… I only hope this fresh tide of ignorance and right-wing pigheadedness we have seen since proposition 8 turns.

  4. btyg67t Reply

    November 21, 2010 at 9:42 pm

    Hooray – another amazing win for religious fundamentalist nutjobs.

  5. Jacob Woods Reply

    November 20, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    I walked into my grandmothers church and the church of my baptism one morning in order to practice piano because I was going to pray for the church. I saw that there was a missionary occurring in Uganda. My grandma continued to mention all the countries that her church was working in, when she came to African countries, she just said Africa… As if it were a country. she doesn’t know I am gay, but in hopes that she had possibly been following the craziness that is occurring there I said, “Uganda is a very interesting place.” No one knows why I say that. This is scary. I am scared.

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