[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1210-E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 173--THE INTERNATIONAL 
                    HUMAN RIGHTS EQUALITY RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2001

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today with the support of 26 of our 
colleagues--including both Republicans and Democrats--I introduced 
House Concurrent Resolution 173, the ``International Human Rights 
Equality Resolution,'' a Resolution decrying human rights violations 
based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. We 
introduced this legislation Mr. Speaker, because we believe very 
strongly that we must send a strong message that gay, lesbian, bisexual 
and transgendered people must be treated with dignity and respect, not 
with hatred and violence.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we have introduced our Resolution 
today, which is the U.N. International Day in Support of Survivors of 
Torture. This Resolution, together with Amnesty International's newly 
released report, ``Breaking the Silence,'' highlights the use of 
torture against people based on sexual orientation and condemns 
governments who perpetrate these outrageous human rights violations, or 
fail to do anything to prosecute the perpetrators. All around the 
world, unacceptable violations of human rights have taken place against 
individuals solely on the basis of their real or perceived sexual 
orientation. These ongoing persecutions against gay people include 
arbitrary arrests, rape, torture, imprisonment, extortion, and even 
execution.
  The scope of these human rights violations is staggering, and for the 
victims, there are few avenues for relief. Mr. Speaker, some States 
create an atmosphere of impunity for rapists and murderers of gays and 
lesbians by failing to prosecute or investigate violence targeted at 
these individuals because of their sexual orientation. These abuses are 
not only sanctioned by some States, often, they are perpetrated by 
agents of the State.
  Mr. Speaker, in Afghanistan, men convicted of sodomy by Taliban 
Shari'a courts are placed next to standing walls by Taliban officials 
and are subsequently executed as the walls are toppled upon them and 
they are buried under the rubble. In Guatemala and El Salvador, 
individuals are either tortured or killed by para-military groups 
because of their real or perceived sexual identity. In Saudi Arabia, 
Yemen, Kuwait, Mauritania, and Iran persons are summarily executed if 
they are convicted of committing homosexual acts. In Pakistan, 
individuals are flogged for engaging in sexual conduct with same-sex 
partners, and in Uganda and Singapore individuals engaging in such 
conduct are sentenced to life in prison. In Brazil, a lesbian couple 
was tortured and sexually assaulted by civil police. Despite the 
existence of medical reports and eye-witness testimony, the 
perpetrators of these heinous crimes are never prosecuted.
  Mr. Speaker, around the world, individuals are targeted and their 
basic human rights are denied because of their sexual orientation. The 
number and frequency of such grievous crimes against individuals cannot 
be ignored. Violence against individuals for their sexual orientation 
violates the most basic human rights.
  House Concurrent Resolution 173, puts the United States on record 
against such horrible human rights violations. As a civilized country, 
we must speak out against and condemn these crimes. Our Resolution 
details just a few examples of violence against gays and lesbians in 
countries as wide ranging as Saudi Arabia, Mexico, China, El Salvador, 
and other countries. By calling attention to this unprovoked and 
indefensible violence, the International Human Rights Equality 
Resolution will broaden awareness of human rights violations based on 
sexual orientation.

[[Page E1211]]

  House Concurrent Resolution 173 reaffirms that human rights norms 
defined in international conventions include protection from violence 
and abuse on the basis of sexual identity, but it does not seek to 
establish a special category of human rights related to sexual 
orientation or gender identity. Furthermore, it commends relevant 
governmental and non-governmental organizations (such as Amnesty 
International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Gay and 
Lesbian Human Rights Commission) for documenting the ongoing abuse of 
human rights on the basis of sexual orientation. Our Resolution 
condemns all human rights violations based on sexual orientation and 
recognizes that such violations should be equally punished, without 
discrimination.
  This legislation is endorsed by a broad coalition of international 
human rights groups, gay rights groups, and faith-based organizations, 
among others. They include: Amnesty International, International Gay 
and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Watch, National Gay 
and Lesbian Taskforce, Human Rights Campaign, Log-Cabin Republicans, 
Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ, and the 
National Organization of Women.
  I would also like to extend my gratitude to the United States 
Department of State and the United Nations for documenting the ongoing 
abuse of human rights on the basis of sexual orientation and gender 
identity.
  Mr. Speaker, the protection of gender identity is not a special right 
or privilege, but it should be fully acknowledged in international 
human rights norms. I ask that my colleagues join with me in 
wholeheartedly embracing and supporting human rights for all people, no 
matter what their sexual orientation might be. It is the only decent 
thing to do.

                          ____________________