Switzerland: Outrage as international lawmakers vote to ban LGBT debates

It’s been reported that Uganda has joined a gang of anti-LGBT nations in banning any discussions on LGBT rights at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

According to reports, the shocking decision was taken at the 139th Assembly of the IPU in Geneva and was led by Uganda’s notoriously homophobic Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.

The IPU is an organisation made up of national parliaments from around the world that aims to “protect and build global democracy through political dialogue and concrete action.”

At the gathering, a proposal was submitted for the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human rights to hold a debate at the next assembly on the subject of: “The role of Parliaments in ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and ensuring respect for the human rights of LGBT persons.”

Describing the proposal as a “well-orchestrated machination” the Ugandans worked with a host of anti-LGBT countries who have appalling human rights records to oppose the move and apparently block any future debates on the issue.

A total of 689 MPs – from countries including China, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe – voted against the proposal while 499 legislators supported it.

Video posted on the Facebook page of the Parliament of Uganda of the session in Geneva showed the jubilant Ugandan delegation clapping and cheering at the outcome. Kadaga said the decision was a victory against “uncivilised and unchristian behaviours” at the IPU. Read more via Mamba