There were questions in the House of Lords today on LGBT -
International Rights
Extract
(LD)
My Lords, statistically, LGBT citizens of the United Kingdom enjoy
greater rights than many people around the world, but citizens of
our overseas territories do not. They often find themselves in
legal limbo, whereby they cannot appeal to their Government or
ours. What are the Government doing to close that legal loophole
for citizens in our overseas territories?
(Con)
My Lords, as the noble Baroness will know, the British Overseas
Territories are separate and largely self-governing jurisdictions
with their own democratically elected representatives. That said,
we are seeing progress. I was delighted to see the Government of
the Cayman Islands introduce civil partnerships legislation
recently. We have seen good progress on that and I hope that
other OTs will follow.
Full exchange
Question asked by (Con)
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking (1) to
support, and (2) to enhance, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans
rights internationally.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth
and Development Office () (Con)
My Lords, the UK is a strong supporter of lesbian, gay, bisexual
and trans rights internationally through our overseas network, at
the UN and through our co-chairmanship of the Equal Rights
Coalition. During the recent UN General Assembly, I announced
further UK support to help Commonwealth Governments and civil
society to repeal outdated, discriminatory laws. Today, I can
announce a further £800,000 of funding to support the work of the
Commonwealth Equality Network.
(Con)
My noble friend will know that, in many countries, the Covid-19
emergency has been used by Governments to curtail human rights,
with LGBT people very much in the firing line in places such as
Uganda and Turkey. Some, particularly in those countries where
homosexuality is criminalised, have been jailed under the guise
of enforcing Covid legislation. However, is my noble friend aware
that the pandemic risks the progress that has been made
internationally in tackling HIV, with a rise in new infections of
up to 60% and possibly half a million extra deaths from AIDS
predicted this year as a result of disruption to antiviral
therapy services—with tragic consequences for those who are most
marginalised and at risk? Will she commit to the protection of
LGBT people as a core component of the Government’s international
response to Covid, including preventing HIV transmission and
ensuring that new vaccines and treatments are available to and
affordable for all?
(Con)
My Lords, we are clear that states must not use Covid-19 as a
cover for repressive action, including discrimination against
LGBT citizens. Like my noble friend, I am concerned about the
impact Covid is having on HIV care and prevention, and we are
taking steps to action this. The global fund, to which the UK is
the second-largest donor, is reallocating up to $1 billion to
continue prevention and treatment services. The UK is fully
committed to equitable global access to safe and effective
Covid-19 vaccines.
(Con)
My Lords, I draw attention to my entry in the register of
interests. As chair of the Government’s international LGBT
conference, which regrettably had to be postponed, may I ask my
noble friend to update the House on what is happening with this
important event, which offers the opportunity to demonstrate to
the world the Government’s commitment to the promotion of LGBT
rights? Will she also say something about the opportunity to
announce a funding commitment for the groups all around the world
that fight hard to promote LGBT rights and which rely on support
from the UK and other Governments?
(Con)
My Lords, we are looking forward to hosting the international
conference. As my noble friend said, our ambitious plans, sadly,
had to be postponed. We are looking at alternative options that
will ensure that the event achieves all we want it to and is safe
for our delegates; we hope to make an announcement on that
shortly. We have a strong record on funding and supporting LGBT
rights programmes, and that will continue.
(CB) [V]
My Lords, the UK is rightly proud of its record on both LGBTI
rights and inclusion and the global power and influence of the
FCDO. In order that we can strengthen our position on the global
stage, will the Minister seek advice from countries with
legislation that is more progressive than our own—including
Ireland, Denmark, Malta and Portugal—so that we can be
world-beating once again?
(Con)
My Lords, the UK is recognised as one of the most progressive
countries on LGBT rights and has one of the world’s strongest
legislative frameworks to prevent and tackle discrimination. We
are fully committed to the principle of non-discrimination on any
grounds, including on the basis of sexual orientation and/or
gender identity.
(Lab)
[V]
My Lords, the Minister will be aware that on 27 September, an
open letter was released urging the Polish Government to end
discrimination against sexual minorities. It was sent by envoys
from 50 countries, including the UK, the US, Israel, India and
Poland’s EU partners. Many towns in Poland have declared
themselves free from LGBT ideology. It is commendable that our
ambassador signed the letter, but is that sufficient? Are there
any plans for this message to be delivered to the Polish
Government at ministerial level?
(Con)
My Lords, our embassy in Warsaw works actively on this agenda
with both civil society and the Polish Government, in close
co-operation with our diplomatic partners. The noble Lord pointed
to the letter that the UK ambassador recently signed. Earlier
this year, the embassy hosted an expert round table with Polish
businesses and LGBT groups. We fly the rainbow flag annually, and
our embassy in Warsaw will continue to work on this important
agenda and support the groups that are fighting for equal rights
in Poland.
(LD)
My Lords, statistically, LGBT citizens of the United Kingdom
enjoy greater rights than many people around the world, but
citizens of our overseas territories do not. They often find
themselves in legal limbo, whereby they cannot appeal to their
Government or ours. What are the Government doing to close that
legal loophole for citizens in our overseas territories?
(Con)
My Lords, as the noble Baroness will know, the British Overseas
Territories are separate and largely self-governing jurisdictions
with their own democratically elected representatives. That said,
we are seeing progress. I was delighted to see the Government of
the Cayman Islands introduce civil partnerships legislation
recently. We have seen good progress on that and I hope that
other OTs will follow.
(Lab)
My Lords, Theresa May’s apology at the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting in London in 2018 marked a turning point,
placing the responsibility for laws that outlaw homosexuality at
our door. I welcome the fact that the Government are topping up
the fund, but how much progress has been made on
decriminalisation in Commonwealth countries and are other
countries contributing to the fund to ensure that we make more
rapid progress?
(Con)
My Lords, we have seen good progress over the past two years. Our
UK-funded Equality & Justice Alliance has helped to promote
the full social, economic and political participation of all, has
helped to support the creation and strengthening of movements for
change and has delivered a series of dialogues across the
Commonwealth. We hope to see further progress in Commonwealth
countries.
(Con)
My Lords, trans rights in international competitive sport is a
sensitive and important issue. Does my noble friend the Minister
agree that leaving it to international sports federations and not
enshrining it in domestic legislation is the only fair and
sensitive way to address this incredibly difficult and sensitive
issue, given that the current guidelines allow successfully
transitioned athletes to compete internationally, subject to
limiting testosterone levels as a metric in women’s competition
categories?
(Con)
I agree with my noble friend: it is right that sports bodies have
the discretion to set their own rules on these issues.
(Lab) [V]
My Lords, like my noble friend , I
have issues with the regime in Poland. I welcome the Minister’s
recent answer, but can I press her slightly further to confirm
whether the UK Government, with allies, are exploring any further
steps to support the LGBT population of Poland?
(Con)
My Lords, we are working closely with allies to support the LGBT
community in Poland. Recently, we have seen concerning reports of
local councils and regional administrations in Poland making
themselves free of LGBT ideology. We are also working with all
our allies to make it clear that we oppose all forms of
discrimination and are committed to protecting and promoting the
rights and freedoms of LGBT people in Poland.
(Con) [V]
My Lords, every country is on a journey in recognising LGBTQ
rights. Indeed, over the past decade my party—particularly under
the leadership of the right honourable David Cameron—and I have
learned much and made huge strides. Will my noble friend accept,
therefore, that we must always work with local campaigners to
ensure that changes in other countries are both indigenous and
long term? Will she join me in congratulating Pakistan on its
achievements on transgender rights, including the appointment of
a transgender rights adviser—Aisha Mughal, who last year became
the first transgender person to represent their country at the
UN—to its Ministry of Human Rights?
(Con)
My Lords, I will happily join my noble friend in praising the
right honourable ; I know that introducing marriage for same-sex
couples was one of his proudest achievements. I agree that we
must always work with local campaigners to ensure that the
changes we see and the progress we make are sustainable. I also
join my noble friend in welcoming this and congratulating
Pakistan; it is important that we see transgender representation
at all levels.
(LD)
My Lords, the Government can now do independent trade deals, but
as we know, some countries have capital punishment for LGBT
people. What approach will the Government take to doing trade
deals with countries that kill people just because of who they
love?
(Con)
My Lords, we oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and
oppose any discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
We will continue to work with countries to remove the death
penalty.
(Con)
My Lords, should we not pay tribute to organisations such as the
Human Dignity Trust and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association,
whose work helps LGBT people in Commonwealth countries to gain
their basic rights through their courts, most recently in Belize
and Botswana? At the same time, should we not continue to deplore
the oppression and suffering that remain the lot of gay friends
and colleagues in most parts of the Commonwealth, in open
defiance of that organisation’s charter?
(Con)
My Lords, of course we fully support the Commonwealth charter and
we are working closely to make sure that we are seeing progress
in this area. I join my noble friend in paying tribute to the
brave organisations that are working across the world. These are
exactly the kind of organisations that we are supporting through
the Commonwealth Equality Network. They work tirelessly to
protect the rights of fellow citizens and ensure that LGBT people
can live free from discrimination and violence.
The Deputy Speaker ()
(CB)
My Lords, all supplementary questions have been asked, and we now
move to the next Question.