Amnesty International USA Press Release
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Amnesty International Applauds U.S. Signing of U.N. Declaration Calling for the Global Decriminalization of Homosexuality
( Washington ) -- As the Obama administration announced that the United States will sign the United Nations declaration upholding the universality of human rights regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and condemning the criminalization of homosexual conduct between adults, Amnesty International USA Policy Director on Identity-based Discrimination Dalia Hashad released the following statement:
"Amnesty International applauds the Obama administration's decision to join the human rights community in calling for the global decriminalization of homosexuality. This is a welcome change from the Bush administration's recent refusal to sign on to the declaration. Every day, Amnesty International campaigns on behalf of individuals who face imprisonment, torture, and even death because of their sexual identity. By signing the declaration, President Obama gives key support to the struggle to bring about a world where all human beings are treated equally."
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
For more information, please visit www.amnestyusa.org