Date: Tue, 03 Jun 1997 11:02:57 -0700 From: gordon brent INGRAM environmental planning Subject: Moving AI UK forward on sexual orientation >>>Subject: The UK GLBT Statute change. >>> >>>Linda Wilkinson >>>ICM Motion Lobby >>>The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Network >>>Amnesty International UK >>>100 Barnet Grove >>>London E2 7BJ >>>Tel 0171 739 6363 >>>100603.1646@compuserve.com >>> >>> >>>London, May 30, 1997 >>> >>>How to lobby your ICM delegation >>> >>>Dear Friends, >>> >>>As you will be aware at the UK sections AGM in Belfast during April the motion >>>to include the words sexual orientation into AIs statute was passed >>>unopposed. >>>We now have the task of lobbying our various Sections to support this motion at >>>Decembers forthcoming ICM in South Africa. >>> >>>This is a briefing paper to help you when you are lobbying your ICM delegation >>>and it contains some of the arguments which you can use to persuade your >>>delegation to vote in favour of the resolution. >>>Your lobbying is essential in ensuring that AI is now actively seen to be >>>supporting our rights in the world-wide arena. >>>Please keep me informed of any developments, comments or further information >>>which you need. If there are any other contact names within your Section whom >>>you feel I should approach directly please let me know. >>>I am most especially interested in more contact names for Africa, South America >>>and the Far East whom I can approach without causing them a problem. >>> I would be very grateful if you could notify me when you have received this. >>>I will be updating the Cologne AI meeting on the progress of this lobbying >>>exercise and hope to see as many of you there as possible. >>> >>>Regards >>> >>>Linda Wilkinson >>>AI UK GLBT >>> Motion passed for submission to the ICM by the AI UK Sections 1997 AGM >>> >>>This AGM: >>> >>>WELCOMES the amendment of AIs policy at the 1991 Yokohama International >>Council >>>Meeting to take up as prisoners of conscience people imprisoned for their >>>homosexuality. >>> >>>NOTES also that Decision 3 of the 1995 ICM amended the Statute to include other >>>reasons for discrimination but did not explicitly include sexual orientation. >>> >>>CONCERNED that there is an inconsistency between AIs policy and its Statute, >>>which shrouds AIs position on the fundamental rights of lesbians, gay men, >>>bisexuals and transgendered people not to be persecuted for their sexual >>>orientation. >>> >>>BELIEVES that in order to enhance the clarity of AIs position, the words >>>sexual orientation should be included after the word colour in paragraph >>>five, line two, of the statute (Article 1a) >>> >>>CALLS upon the AIUK Board to submit this amendment to the Statute to AIs 1997 >>>International Council Meeting. >>> >>>Arguments used in support of the motion >>>Why change?: >>>The statute is a powerful advertisement of the rights which Amnesty >>protects and >>>for which it tries to garner respect and as such must be explicit in its aims. >>>The inclusion of these words would have a significant and tangible effect >>on the >>>world-wide development of the human rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and >>>transgenders:- >>> >>>. In improving awareness of these rights. >>> >>>. In gathering information on abuses (which can presently be very difficult >>>given the fear which mutes the voices of gay men and lesbians across the World) >>> >>>. It would help researchers on the ground who are trying to collect information >>>in areas where homosexuality is illegal by clearly stating to oppressive >>regimes >>>that their work is sanctioned by AI. >>> >>>. By telling oppressive regimes that they can no longer use homosexuality as a >>>pretext to arrest and imprison political prisoners. >>> >>>. In raising support for these and other human rights in lesbian and gay >>>communities. >>> >>>. By acknowledging that sexual orientation is a fundamental dimension of >>human >>>identity and hence that we are as equal as any other group of individuals for >>>whom AI campaigns anywhere in the world. >>> >>>Some questions, comments, which have been posed. >>> >>>1) The word sexual orientation does not translate into many languages: >>> >>>This is true, but then neither does the word sex which is currently used. >>>Sexual Orientation is becoming the universally accepted term to describe >>us as >>>a group. We would suggest that native speakers of a language will always >>find an >>>appropriate translation. >>> >>>2) How can we campaign for something which is illegal in some countries? >>> >>>AI campaigns against the death penalty which is legal in many countries; It >>also >>>campaigns for the right to strike in countries where this is illegal. Human >>>Rights are universal no matter what the prevailing political climate. >>> >>>3) Some Sections might be closed down if it is seen they are campaigning for >>>human rights of lesbians and gay men. >>> >>>See answer to 2 (above). >>>4) This change will allow AI to campaign for paedophiles >>>Not so: >>>Firstly, we are talking about supporting adults who have consenting sex in >>>private. >>>Secondly, full guidelines for AIs support of homosexuals exist and are very >>>explicit on this point. >>>Finally, we are simply making the mandate resolution more public not changing >>>any defined strategy. >>> >>>5) We already campaign for human rights of lesbians and gay men why do we need >>>the change? >>> >>>Visibility: The majority of people on the street, including members of the gay, >>>lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, are unaware that AI does >>campaign >>>for these rights. The statute, in its shortened form, is the advertisement with >>>which AI publicises itself and commits itself to those for whom it campaigns. >>> >>> >>> >> >>"L'enfer, c'est les autres." >> - Jean-Paul Sartre >> >> >> **************************************************************************** gordon brent INGRAM Ph.D. environmental planning 1230 Hamilton Street #204 Vancouver V6B 2S8 CANADA voice mail: 1(604)669-0422 fax: call ahead to confirm location email: gbingram@axionet.com ***************************************************************************