Addressing an African conference on combating discrimination is an intimidating and salutary task. It must be approached with great sensitivity and an awareness that as an ex-colonial power we created most of the problems and the ground work for negative elements to develop. So speaking in South Africa I took the note from Shakespeare that if colonialism is ‘Julius Caesar’ then I went to Africa ‘to bury Caesar not to praise him’!
There is great progress being made by LGBT activists and progressive politicians and progressive church leaders across parts of Africa. But a battle is raging.
The US evangelical right has chosen Africa as the ground upon which to fight LGBT people, to deny them any semblance of equality or freedom from discrimination and to drive them underground. They have tried to promote anti-gay laws in Rwanda – and failed – but elsewhere they have succeeded, notably Uganda, Burundi, and now they are focusing on Kenya.
But these evangelicals and their collaborators underestimate Africa’s attitude to this new colonialism. LGBT people and their heterosexual friends and families are fighting back and they need our support. And it is vital that we remember the solutions to these created problems must be African solutions and built on the principle of the universality of human rights.
The attitudes in Africa to LGBT people, and their repressive laws, are based on the colonial import of western cultures, our laws which reinforced it, and our selective view and use of religion. As politicians and religions fight to protect or enhance their power bases so the ‘threat’ posed by homosexuality in particular has been played out. This dangerous religi-political currency is changing hands fast and has hastened some deeply worrying and offensive developments. Notwithstanding that human rights know no boundaries or borders, recently an amendment on behalf of the African group of nations was tabled at the UN general assembly removing sexual orientation from a resolution on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions. It was adopted by 79 votes in favour, 70 against, 17 abstentions and 26 absent. This dangerous amendment essentially removes the principle of vigilance in protecting LGBT people who are often targeted solely on the basis of their difference or perceived difference. In the European Union joint parliamentary assembly, African, Caribbean and Pacific countries have vigorously resisted the specific inclusion of non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the revision of a major trade agreement. I am proud to say that the European parliament has reiterated its principle that human rights are non-negotiable and that includes on the basis of sexual orientation.
Yet why do I remain optimistic? Because I believe these are the last throes of a desperate group of people who want to hold Africa and its people back.
A new generation are being woken up to their potential their rights and their lives.
Their battle is our battle. Indeed we are always fighting the same enemies.
It was said to me in South Africa some time ago that to interfere in the human rights situation in other African countries is to fail to respect sovereignty. Interestingly the same argument was put by some in the west when we supported the anti-apartheid movement. It is a false argument.
Rights diminished in one country are eventually diminished in all countries. That which diminishes another, diminishes us all.
Goodness will survive which is why the battle for equality, with our total support, will be won.