DAR AL HARB - CANADA: GAY & LESBIAN ACTIVIST GROUP REJECTED BY MOSLEM COUNTRIES AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Muslim countries at UN reject Canadian gay activist group
Steven Edwards,
CanWest News Service


UNITED NATIONS — Canada has expressed alarm at the “pattern of discrimination” against homosexuals at the United Nations after a UN committee denied Quebec’s leading gay and lesbian coalition access to the organization.

Muslim countries led opposition to the bid by the Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Quebec to win “observer status” at the UN as an accredited non-governmental organization.

The Muslim opponents declined to say why they were rejecting the Quebec group, but many parts of the Muslim world have for years strongly opposed any advancement of homosexual rights at the UN, saying such a lifestyle is non-existent in their societies.

“Canada is deeply dismayed that the committee has rejected the application of CGLQ with no explanation,” Nell Stewart of the Canadian mission to the UN told the 19-member committee. “Canada strongly supports an inclusive United Nations….”

Stewart explained the Quebec group is a nationally recognized and upstanding activist group in Canada, adding it is “crucial for legitimate NGOs representing diverse constituencies within civil society to have an equal opportunity to express their views in UN fora.”

The committee, which vets the credentials of activist groups, is an arm of the 54-member Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which is responsible for promoting development and cultural issues at the world body.

Though the council must review the committee’s findings, the process is usually a rubber stamp.

Demanding a vote on whether to admit the Quebec group were Egypt, Guinea, Pakistan Qatar and Sudan, who were joined in voting “no” by Burundi, China and Russia. Supporting the group were Britain, Colombia, Israel, Peru Romania and the United States, while Angola, India and Turkey abstained.

Canada is not a member of the committee and Stewart addressed the body as an “observer” herself.

She warned Canada notes the Muslim-led opposition to gay activism at the UN has long prevailed within the committee. “We remain concerned by the pattern of discrimination demonstrated by the committee.”

...

Read the whole thing...


Pertinent Links:

1) Muslim countries at UN reject Canadian gay activist group