Equalisation at 16 defeated today
Human rights law defied, UK urged to intervene
Call for David Miliband to intervene
London – 18 June 2009
Commenting on today’s defeat of the gay age of consent equality bill in the Gibraltar Parliament, which would have established an equal age of consent of 16, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said:
“The Government of Gibraltar is required by European Court of Human Rights rulings to equalise the age of consent for same-sex relationships. The equalisation legislation should have therefore been sponsored by the government and not introduced as a private member’s bill.
“The bill was sponsored by Gibralter MP Daniel Feetham.
“I am very surprised and disappointed that this was a private member’s bill and not a government bill. The government gives the impression that it is trying to evade its responsibility to uphold equality and human rights.
“As a British Overseas Territory, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has ultimate responsibility for ensuring Gibraltar’s compliance with human rights law.
“I urge the Foreign Secretary to read the riot act to Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Peter Caruana. Gibraltar cannot be allowed to evade its human rights obligations.
“The opposition’s vote against the bill gives a bad impression and contradicts its previous support for gay equality. They say it was a principled stand against a flawed bill, and that there should have been wider consultation concerning what the age of consent should be.
“Some critics complain that the bill failed to remove offensive legal references to disabled people as ‘imbeciles’, ‘idiots’ and ‘defectives’. They protest that there was not adequate parliamentary time to make the necessary amendments.
“The Government of Gibraltar seems intent on scuppering gay equality, with its ham-fisted tactics.
“Why was the legislation suddenly rushed through parliament, when a number of MPs were overseas and when there was insufficient time for a considered debate and amendments?” queried Mr Tatchell.