"Cashman denounces new President of the United Nations' 'unacceptable' views on homosexuality"

"Cashman denounces new President of the United Nations' 'unacceptable' views on homosexuality"


Taking his post at the opening of the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations, on 15 September 2009, Libyan Ali Abdussalam Treki suggested that homosexuality was unacceptable.

The newly-elected President was asked during his press conference about the UN Resolution calling for the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality. "That matter is very sensitive, very touchy. As a Muslim, I am not in favour of it...it is not accepted by the majority of the countries. My opinion is not in favour of this matter at all, I think it is not really acceptable by our religion, our tradition", he said.

Reacting to his words, Michael Cashman, President of the European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT rights called on the President to "think again" and reminded him that "he is there to defend the principles of the United Nations and that includes the Universal Declaration Human Rights Act 1948 and all following amendments and covenants of rights, including LGBT Human Rights".

"Such statements are totally inappropriate and unacceptable. He must now speak on behalf of those who do not have a voice and forget his religious beliefs which must remain private. He must realise that the implications of his words could legitimise violence towards LGBT people", said the Member of the European Parliament.

The Resolution in favour of the decriminalisation of homosexuality was signed by 66 countries and passed last December. It was met with strong resistance from a group of Leaders who challenged it, but failed, with a counter-statement condemning homosexuality.

ENDS