Foreign Office Rebuffs Gay, Lesbian Rights Campaigners

UK Gay News

LONDON, May 17, 2008 – The UK coordinator of International Day against Homophobia has attacked the government – and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in particular – for its lack of interest of the IDAHO campaign which highlights homophobia worldwide.

“We have not heard a word to acknowledge the importance of this day by our own Foreign and Commonwealth Office,” Derek Lennard said this afternoon.

“Last year we were honoured by a joint statement by Ian Macartney and Meg Munn,”

“A report issued by ILGA has highlighted that 85 countries criminalise homosexuality.

Yesterday, the New York-based Human Rights Watch named the UK Home Office in its ‘Hall of Shame’ for the lack of human rights extended to gay men and women who sought sanctuary from oppressive countries.

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