Lucas: Universal human rights are being eroded

By Tony Grew • May 14, 2008 - 15:02

Caroline Lucas represents South East England in the European Parliament

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A leading Green party politician claims "international appeasement of conservative regimes" is a threat to human rights.

Caroline Lucas, who represents South East England in the European Parliament, said in a statement:

"We developed a near-universal system of global human rights protection in the 20th century, a legal regime designed to stamp out discrimination and harassment.

"But in the first decade of this century we have seen that system repeatedly undermined."

Dr Lucas will be a guest speaker at 'IDAHOBIT' (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) in Brighton on Saturday.

"There remain 77 countries around the world where the "crime" of being homosexual is still punishable by imprisonment, or even execution, and this is a direct affront to international human rights law.

"The theme for this year's event is 'women' – and we mustn't forget that it is often lesbian and bisexual women who are bearing the brunt of this state-sponsored discrimination, with the full knowledge and complicity of the British government."

Alongside Dr Lucas, the rally will be addressed by Michelle Bridgeman of the Gender Trust and Melvin Hartley of Broken Rainbow.

There will music from the City of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and the Rainbow Chorus, and a visually spectacular display of 77 sky lanterns, one for every nation in which homosexuality remains a criminal offence.

The event will be held on Brighton Seafront, next to the Volks railway and 'Peter Pan's playground, starting at 7pm on Saturday.

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