UK threatens to block aid to anti-gay nations
Sun. October 30, 2011 7:02 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
david camera threatens to withhold funds to anti-gay nations
photo credit // bbc.co.uk
British Prime Minister David Cameron has threatened to withhold development aid from countries that persecute Christians, gays and lesbians.
"We want to see countries that receive our aid adhering to proper human rights and that includes how people treat gay and lesbian people," Cameron told the BBC.
The issue of human rights reform was one issue discussed by leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, which started on Oct. 28.
"British aid should have more strings attached," said Cameron.
According to the BBC, some 41 nations in the 54-member Commonwealth have laws banning homosexuality.
Lawmakers in Uganda, a member of the Commonwealth, recently voted to reopen debate on a bill which would outlaw homosexuality with the possibility of the death penalty for gays and lesbians.
Ugandan gay rights leader David Kato was beaten to death earlier this year in a suspected hate crime.
The UK has spent $110 million on bilateral aid on Uganda from 2009-2010.
"We want to see countries that receive our aid adhering to proper human rights and that includes how people treat gay and lesbian people," Cameron told the BBC.
The issue of human rights reform was one issue discussed by leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, which started on Oct. 28.
"British aid should have more strings attached," said Cameron.
According to the BBC, some 41 nations in the 54-member Commonwealth have laws banning homosexuality.
Lawmakers in Uganda, a member of the Commonwealth, recently voted to reopen debate on a bill which would outlaw homosexuality with the possibility of the death penalty for gays and lesbians.
Ugandan gay rights leader David Kato was beaten to death earlier this year in a suspected hate crime.
The UK has spent $110 million on bilateral aid on Uganda from 2009-2010.