Activists are using the CHOGM meeting to press for an end to the criminalisation of homosexuality. Source: AAP
AUSTRALIA and New Zealand are being urged to use a meeting of Commonwealth leaders to lobby for an end to the criminalisation of homosexuality.
Homosexuality is a crime in 41 out of the 53 Commonwealth nations, including CHOGM host nation Sri Lanka.
Ahead of the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka on Friday, a new report produced by the Kaleidoscope Trust details human rights abuses against gay and lesbian people.
Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Sir Shridath Ramphal, writes in the report: "It is a reminder that for most of the countries of the Commonwealth, the desecration of our fellow citizens began in the law.
"As with the abolition of slavery, the decriminalisation of homosexuality in our time must be an act of law."
The report details first-hand examples of attempted murder, beatings and harassment.
"I have lost two teeth, had my family property invaded and car damaged by two masked men," says Caleb Orozco, a gay man from Belize.
The report recommends that all countries which criminalise same-sex activity repeal the laws in line with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.
It notes that while Australia had made significant progress in getting rid of gay discrimination from the statute books, there were still some flaws including the differing age of consent, adoption and civil union laws between the states and the gay panic defence in charges of assault and murder.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and NZ leader John Key will attend CHOGM on Friday.
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