Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 14:58:15 -0700 (PDT) From: Meg Satterthwaite Subject: AI DEMONSTRATES AGAINST TASMANIAN LAWS TO: Australian Gay and Lesbian Community CC: Gay and Lesbian Community Organizations FROM: Amnesty International Members for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (USA) RE: Demonstration at Australian Embassy April 22, 1996 ___________________________________________________ Greetings from Washington! In solidarity with your efforts to repeal anti-gay legislation in Tasmania, Amnesty International/USA will be demonstrating at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. on April 22, 1996 at 6:00 pm. We will call on the Tasmanian State Government to repeal Sections 122 (a) and (c) and 123 of the Tasmanian Criminal Code Act 1924 (Amended 1987). These sections of the law provide up to 21 years imprisonment for sexual acts in private between consenting adult males. Our demonstration comes after AI has repeatedly called for the repeal of these sections of the Criminal Code. AI is also concerned at recent statements by officials of the Tasmanian government: in January 1996, State Premier Ray Groom announced the government's plans to increase the maximum penalty under the anti-gay legislation from 21 years to 25 years. Amnesty International believes that it is outrageous that anyone should face 25 years imprisonment solely for their sexual orientation. The organization would consider anyone imprisoned under this legislation a prisoner of conscience. AI will also call on the Tasmanian State Government to act in accordance with the March 1994 ruling by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which stated that the legislation was in direct breach of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. AI members will gather to demonstrate that the rights of gay men and lesbians cannot be violated with impunity. We urge the Tasmanian government to repeal this blatantly discriminatory legislation. By heeding the ruling of the Human Rights Committee, the Tasmanian government will bring their actions into line with a growing international consensus recognizing that the rights of gay men and lesbians are basic human rights. ****************************************************************************** * To subscribe to QUEERPLANET, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: subscribe queerplanet * * To unsubscribe to QUEERPLANET, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe queerplanet * * Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! * ******************************************************************************