Foreign Office Minister meets Tatchell and All Out
Confirms PM’s commitment to raise LGBT rights at G20
Paul O’Grady joins London protest against Russian homophobia
London – 4 September 2013
Under Secretary of State at the Foreign Office, Alistair Burt, met human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, and Marie Campbell of the online activist group All Out, at the Foreign Office last night (3 September).
He confirmed to them that Prime Minister David Cameron will raise the issue of Russia’s new anti-gay law when he meets President Vladimir Putin later this week at the G20 summit in St Petersburg.
Photos of the Foreign Office meeting are available from Alistair Burt’s staff.
Cameron’s commitment came just hours ahead of yesterday’s “Love Russia, Hate Homophobia” rally opposite Downing Street, attended by 1,000 people, including entertainer Paul O’Grady.
Photos of the Downing Street protest (free use): http://bit.ly/17DLnVs
The London protest was one of the many same-day Global Speak Out rallies held in 33 cities in 21 countries around the world, coordinated by www.allout.org
The London protest called on David Cameron and other world leaders at the G20 summit to condemn Russia’s anti-gay laws and its wider repression of human rights.
Peter Tatchell, director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, and one of the organisers of the 3rd September London protest, said:
“While we welcome David Cameron’s commitment to raise gay rights with President Putin, we also want him to put the issue on the G20 summit agenda and to get other G20 world leaders to sign a joint declaration against homophobia. This would be a very effective rebuke to Putin.
“We put this request to Alistair Burt at our meeting with him. He offered to forward it to David Cameron for his consideration.
“Tuesday’s global protests let Putin know that the world is watching and that people in many countries object to his government’s anti-gay policies. We also sent a signal to Russian LGBT people that they are not alone. We stand with them in solidarity.
“In June, President Putin signed legislation that effectively bans positive debate or portrayal of LGBT people and relationships. As well as being a direct attack on freedom of expression, which is guaranteed in the Russian constitution, the new anti-gay law is part of a wider attack on civil society. We oppose all infringements of human rights in Russia.
“Putin’s regime has banned all protests in the city of Sochi in the run up to the Winter Olympics. It has also banned the hosting of a Gay Pride House at the Sochi Games, which the IOC has not sought to overturn. The IOC is colluding with Russian homophobia,” said Mr Tatchell.
Further information:
Peter Tatchell
Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.PeterTatchellFoundation.org
Susheila Juggapah
Campaign and Press Officer, Peter Tatchell Foundation
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.PeterTatchellFoundation.org