CRIMINALISATION OF PEOPLE ON GROUNDS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

That this House is very concerned that 41 out of 53 Commonwealth nations still criminalise people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity; understands that this is over half the total number of countries that criminalise LGBT people; is further concerned that criminalisation severely impacts people's ability to access and receive safe, non-discriminatory health services, which increases vulnerability to HIV; further understands that this highlights the need for the Government to continue its work in a coordinated way across departments and with civil society to promote the rights of LGBT people and to call for decriminalisation across the Commonwealth; notes that hon. Members have a role to play in promoting non-discrimination and ensuring no-one is left behind; and commends the International HIV/AIDS Alliance's efforts and its current campaign, Paradise or Persecution, in raising awareness of the scale of criminalisation across the Commonwealth and pushing for change.