Anti-Gay Bill: Obama Dares Nigerian Senate, Issues Presidential Memo
United States President, Barack Obama, on Tuesday, issued a memo ordering US diplomats abroad to advance the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons (LGBT).
The memo, which was personally signed by Obama, was issued a day after a group of Nigerian gays staged a protest against the newly passed anti-same sex bill by the Senate in front of Nigerian House in Manhattan, New York.
In the presidential memorandum, which had as its subject:, ‘International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons’, Obama said, “I am deeply concerned by the violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons around the world whether it is passing laws that criminalize LGBT status, beating citizens simply for joining peaceful LGBT pride celebrations, or killing men, women, and children for their perceived sexual orientation.”
The memo, which was addressed to heads of executive departments and agencies, noted that “the struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States commitment to promoting human rights.”
President Obama, consequently, said, “By this memorandum, I am directing all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that US diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons.”
He specifically directed that certain actions consistent with applicable law should be taken. Such actions include combating criminalization of LGBT status or conduct abroad, protecting vulnerable LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, and foreign assistance to protect human rights and advance nondiscrimination.
Other specific actions to be taken include, swift and meaningful US responses to human rights abuses of LGBT persons abroad, engaging international organizations in the fight against LGBT discrimination, and engaging international organizations in the fight against LGBT discrimination.
The memo also directed all agencies engaged abroad to prepare a report within 180 days of the date of the memorandum, and annually thereafter, on their progress toward advancing these initiatives.
According to the memo, the report on progress should be submitted to the Department of State for transmittal to the President.
The memo defined agencies engaged abroad as, “the Departments of State, the Treasury, Defense, Justice, Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Export Import Bank, the United States Trade Representative, and such other agencies as the President may designate.”
According to the memo, they also include agencies involved with foreign aid, assistance, and development.
The foreign aid, assistance, and development-related agencies were mandated to enhance their ongoing efforts to ensure regular US engagement with governments, citizens, civil society, and the private sector in order to build respect for the human rights of LGBT persons.
Noting that under his administration, agencies engaged abroad had already begun taking action to promote the fundamental human rights of LGBT persons everywhere. Obama said, “our deep commitment to advancing the human rights of all people is strengthened when we as the United States bring our tools to bear to vigorously advance this goal.”
The US President also directed the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to publish the memorandum in the federal register.
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on 2011. Filed under Nigerian News, Slider/Homepage News, World News.
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