Theresa May 'deeply regrets' UK's colonial anti-gay laws
British Prime Minister Theresa May
has said she deeply regrets the UK's role in criminalising same-sex
relations in its former colonies.
The laws were passed under British rule and are still used in 37 of the Commonwealth's 53 member nations.
There
is a global trend towards decriminalising homosexual acts, but some
countries, like Nigeria and Uganda, have imposed stricter laws.
At a Commonwealth meeting, Mrs May said laws were "wrong then and wrong now"
Same-sex relations are explicitly banned in 72 countries,
according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and
Intersex Association (ILGA).
"Nobody should face discrimination and persecution because of who
they are or who they love," Mrs May said in London as Commonwealth
leaders gather for their summit, which is held every two years.
"The
UK stands ready to support any Commonwealth nation wanting to reform
outdated legislation that makes such discrimination possible.
"Across
the world discriminatory laws made many years ago continue to affect
the lives of many people, criminalising same-sex relations and failing
to protect women and girls."
The number of states that criminalise
same-sex relations is decreasing annually, with Belize and the
Seychelles repealing such laws in 2016.
But in many socially
conservative and religious countries in Africa, where homosexuality is a
taboo, there has been resistance to calls to decriminalise same-sex
relationships.
South Africa, which rejoined the Commonwealth after the end of white-minority rule in 1994, is one of the exceptions.
It
has one of the most liberal constitutions in the world, which protects
gay rights, and was the first African country to legalise same-sex
marriage in 2006.
BBC
No comments
Your comments and Encouragement are welcome