US Foreign Affairs Office, Pakistan } Policy on ‘gay rights’ not changed
Thenews.com.pk
Pakistan says that its policy on ensuring that ‘gay rights’ are ‘human rights’ have not changed and it is of the view that these ‘sensitive’ issues sometimes directly clash with people’s and countries cultural and religious ethos.
The spokesman at the Foreign Office was asked by The News to comment on remarks by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was addressing ambassadors on the sideline of the UN Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, in which while echoing President Obama, she stressed that in future gay rights would be an issue linked with foreign assistance and diplomacy to seek reform.
“Gay rights are human rights. Gay people are born into and belong to every society in the world. Being gay is not a Western invention. It is a human reality, “Clinton told the ambassadors, as the US directed its agencies to consider gay rights when making aid and asylum decisions.
The spokesman remarked that he couldn’t confirm whether Pakistan’s ambassador attended this particular meeting but pointed out that Pakistan has always tried to develop consensus on controversial issues.
“This issue has been coming up at different international fora. Recently, at the Perth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, a delegation did propose some language on gay rights for the Perth communiqué, and I remember several countries including Pakistan did not support the language for its inclusion in the Perth document. We are of the view that these are sensitive issues and sometimes they directly clash with peoples’ and counties’ cultural and religious ethos. I narrate what happened in the Commonwealth meeting so as it gives you an idea of what would be Pakistan’s likely position on this issue”, he said.
Several times when controversial issues are raised, the spokesman said, Pakistan has asked for discussion and placing its position on the table rather than boycotting discussions.
“We do not know if our ambassador was a part of it, but in any case there is no point in leaving the room even if you have disagreements on certain issues”, he added as media reports spoke of several ambassadors leaving the room after Clinton finished speaking.
Clinton also announced the creation of a $3 million global equality fund focused on worldwide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.
Comments