Belfast 2008
Resolution on the prohibition of persecutions and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
the Liberal International Congress,
– whereas international and regional human rights instruments affirm the dignity of all human beings, their equality and prohibit discriminations,
– whereas LGBT rights are human rights, as provided by the Yogyakarta Principles drafted by a committee of international human rights leaders,
– whereas persons are still executed, criminalized, persecuted and discriminated around the world on the basis of their sexual orientation,
– whereas in 7 states homosexual acts are still punished with death penalty, in 77 States these are criminalised and punished with prison sentences, while some States sponsor hate campaigns against LGBT persons, which are often led by public or religious figures,
– whereas all over the world persecutions and discriminations enacted by non-state actors take place in the society, and that the lack of anti-discrimination laws or societal support vanish all possibilities for individuals to look for a remedy,
– whereas in a growing number of States and supra-national bodies equality for LGBT persons is promoted through progressive legislative changes such as State recognition of same-sex relations, while homophobia is fought through education and legislative measures prohibiting discriminations;
– whereas liberals support human rights and individual freedoms in all spheres of life, notably from illegitimate intrusions from authorities in their private life,
asks its member parties to take action at all levels (international, regional, national and local) to ensure that :
a) State persecutions and discriminations based on sexual orientation, such as laws providing for death penalty or criminalisation of homosexual acts, are urgently reviewed and repealed;
b) third actors persecutions and discriminations based on sexual orientation are prosecuted and punished by the authorities, while human rights and LGBT equality campaigners and defenders are protected and supported, for instance when publicly demonstrating;
c) equality for LGBT persons is promoted in the public sphere through antidiscrimination measures and programmes, education and media campaigns;
d) asylum is granted to persons that flee persecutions and death on grounds of their sexual orientation;
e) coordinate at the international level actions to promote equality and to condemn and pressure those States that persecute and discriminate against LGBT persons; promote a UN initiative aimed at adopting texts on the prohibition of persecutions and discriminations based on sexual orientation and rights of family reunion are extended to same-sex couples.
f) adhere to the International Day against Homophobia that is celebrated in a growing number of countries on 17 May.
