UK aid threat to anti-gay nations

31 October 2011 07:00 am - 3 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Britain has threatened countries which ban homosexuality with losing aid payments unless they reform, David Cameron said.

But he conceded that "deep prejudices" against gays in some countries meant the problem would persist for years.

The Prime Minister said he had raised the issue with leaders of some of the states involved when he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Australia over the last two days.

Britain was "putting the pressure on" he said over an issue that was one of the stumbling blocks of a summit beset by failure to make significant progress on strengthening human rights protections.

It was not a problem that would be solved however by the next time Commonwealth leaders are due to meet in Sri Lanka in 2013. Mr Cameron also issued a clear warning to Sri Lanka to improve its human rights record or face boycotts of the 2013 summit.

He declined to discuss whether the UK could stay away but said he shared a "similar view" of the need to change with Canada, whose prime minister Stephen Harper has said he will not attend.

Ending bans on homosexuality was one of the recommendations of an highly-critical internal report into the future relevance of the Commonwealth - authored by experts from across the member nations including ex-Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind.

"We are not just talking about it. We are also saying that British aid should have more strings attached," Mr Cameron told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show in an interview recorded at the summit in Perth.

"This is an issue where we are pushing for movement, we are prepared to put some money behind what we believe. But I'm afraid that you can't expect countries to change overnight.

"Britain is one of the premier aid givers in the world. We want to see countries that receive our aid adhering to proper human rights. We are saying that is one of the things that determines our aid policy, and there have been particularly bad examples where we have taken action." (Souce: The Press Association)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 3

buffaloa citizen Monday, 31 October 2011 08:19 AM

Excellent. I am not gay, but I do believe in respecting religeons, races, sexual preferences and living with a conscience. These are features rarely seen amongst the majority of this country.

Cynic Monday, 31 October 2011 08:52 AM

What arrogance.

sukiri Monday, 31 October 2011 10:02 AM

tell that to the Saudis and stop oil flowing to the UK

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

UK aid threat to anti-gay nations

Comments - 3

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

April 15 declared a government holiday

Sri Lanka’s Rupee leads emerging markets in 1st quarter of 2024

Suspicious death of 23-year-old woman at hotel sparks concerns

No decision to declare April 15 as public holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Ruwan calls on Kotte Sri Kalyani Mahanayake Thera

Effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s legal system is questioned over alleged corruption: Chief Delegate

Public inconvenienced due to lack of transport

Ex-soldiers joining Russian military as mercenaries, Sri Lanka seeks details

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win