Gay MEP Michael Cashman criticises UN General Assembly
president's 'unacceptable' anti-gay views
Michael Cashman
criticised the anti-gay comments
Gay MEP Michael Cashman has condemned homophobic comments made by the
new United Nations General Assembly president.
As PinkNews.co.uk reported last week, Ali Abdussalam Treki said that
homosexuality is "not really acceptable".
Treki, who is the Libyan secretary of African Union Affairs, opened the
64th session of the United Nations General Assembly last Friday with a press
conference.
One question concerned the UN resolution which calls for the universal
decriminalisation of homosexuality.
In reply, Treki said: "That matter is very sensitive, very touchy.
As a Muslim, I am not in favour of it . . . it is not accepted by the majority
of countries. My opinion is not in favour of this matter at all. I think it's
not really acceptable by our religion, our tradition.
“It is not acceptable in the majority of the world. And there are some
countries that allow that, thinking it is a kind of democracy . . . I think it
is not,” he added.
In a statement released today, Cashman attacked the "inappropriate
and unacceptable" comments.
He said: "Such statements are totally inappropriate and
unacceptable. He must now speak on behalf of those who do not have a voice and
forget his religious beliefs which must remain private. He must realise that the
implications of his words could legitimise violence towards LGBT people."
Cashman, who is the president of the European Parliament's Intergroup on
LGBT rights, called on Treki to "think again" and added: "He is
there to defend the principles of the United Nations and that includes the
Universal Declaration Human Rights Act 1948 and all following amendments and
covenants of rights, including LGBT human rights."
The resolution on homosexuality which Treki referred to was signed by 66
countries and passed last December.
See also:
New UN Head Says Homosexuality
“Totally Unacceptable”