Leading international human rights and Labour figures are increasing the pressure on the Australian Labor Party to allow same-sex marriages.
Irish Labour MP, Eric Byrne, has called on the ALP to follow the lead of Irish Labour by supporting marriage equality while a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch, Boris Dittrich, has written to all ALP Conference delegates reminding them that where marriage equality has been enacted the dire predictions of opponents of equality have not come to pass.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, welcomed the support from international figures saying it shows the eyes of the world are on Australia.
“Labour parties and human rights organisations around the world will be watching the ALP National Conference and hoping the ALP upholds its fundamental values and by supporting equality”, Mr Greenwich said.
“Australia’s international reputation for fairness and tolerance is at stake.”
In an article published today, Irish Labour MP, Eric Byrne, explains why the Irish Labour Party supports marriage equality.
Mr Byrne writes,
“I would urge (our brothers and sisters in the Australian Labor Party) to look into their hearts….the most basic values we share in common are a commitment to freedom, community, democracy and equality.”
“We can only ensure that gay and lesbian citizens are truly free, truly a valued part of our communities and truly able to play a full democratic role in our societies when we say that henceforth all will be afforded equality of treatment and in the case of marriage, equality can only be achieved when all couples, opposite sex or same sex can stand their families and friends and enter a fully equal marriage.”
Mr Byrne adds that civil partnerships, enacted in Ireland last year, are not enough, and declares them a form of “segregation”.
In a letter to all ALP National Party delegates the advocacy director of Human Rights Watchs’ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program, Boris Dittrich, writes
“Over the last decade the Netherlands did not fall into the big void of moral decay. Interestingly enough, an increasing number of nearly 75,000 civil marriages take place each year, of which on a yearly average 1,400 are same-sex marriages. Heterosexual couples did not turn away from the institution of marriage, nor did the world isolate the Dutch.”
“The eyes of the world are on your conference. The Australian Labor Party is seen as a progressive party which supports the right of non-discrimination and equal treatment. I urge you to do the right thing and vote for marriage equality and join the group of countries which opened their civil marriage law for people of the same gender.”
For Mr Bryne’s article go to: http://newmatilda.com/2011/11/25/irish-labour-will-say-i-do-marriage-equality
For Mr Dittrich’s letter go to: https://www.australianmarriageequality.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Dittrich.pdf
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.