AI: On HR Abuses Against Lesbian And Gay Men

[Jagdish Parikh]

AM AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL UK BREAKS THE SILENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
ABUSES AGAINST LESBIANS AND GAY MEN

Amnesty International UK (AIUK) is launching its book, "Breaking The
Silence", at a press conference on Tuesday 25 February 1997 with:-
Musician, Jimmy Somerville; Author of the book and AIUK's Education
Officer, Dan Jones and representative of AIUK's Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, Transgender Network, Linda Wilkinson.

In countries all over the world, men and women are harassed,
abducted, imprisoned, tortured and even murdered for their sexual
identity, says a new report published today by Amnesty International
UK.

"Gay men, lesbians, transvestites and transsexuals -- anyone who
does not adhere to the dictates of "normal" sexuality -- may be
subject to persecution by government agents or by private
individuals acting with implicit government sanction," said Dan
Jones, AIUK's Education Officer and author of the book. " Fearing that
their private acts of love and their public acts of courage may be
punished in secret torture chambers or on midnight raids, sexual
minorities have suffered and died in silence, beyond the reach of
international human rights protection," he added.

In this report, AIUK breaks the silence. Dozens of carefully
documented cases from countries all over the world illustrate the grim
reality of human rights abuses against lesbians and gay men, providing
specific names -- of victims and known perpetrators -- dates, and
locations of crimes. The report also offers a more positive outlook by
listing many gay and lesbian organisations around the world who are
working together to put an end to the oppression of sexual minorities.
In addition, the report looks at the role of Amnesty International in
protecting the rights of gay men and lesbians, how the organisation
campaigns and how it supports the work of other human rights groups
campaigning for homosexual equality. AIUK's report also spells out
specific guidelines for governments serious about protecting the
rights of homosexuals -- and offers a "rough guide" to the current
legal status of homosexuality in over fifty countries.

Amnesty International UK Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Network
(GBLT Network) There are over 500 members of AIUK who belong to the
GBLT Network. They:- campaign on human rights abuses based on sexual
orientation lobby governments on legislation that results in
imprisonment for homosexual acts between consenting adults in private
promote awareness of human rights abuses against lesbians and gay men.

There are Amnesty International GLBT Networks in the following
countries: Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Italy, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Sweden, USA and Venezuela.

"Breaking The Silence: Human Rights Violations Based on Sexual
Orientation" is available price ?8.99 (inclusive P & P) from The
Publications Department, Amnesty International UK, 99-119 Rosebery
Avenue, London EC1R 4RE

ENDS .../

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