Equality Rights organisation Gibraltar Gay Rights (GGR) has published the full text of a parliamentary question recently put to Minister for Europe Dennis MacShane in the House of Commons regarding sexual orientation human rights in Gibraltar by Conservative MP Alan Duncan, who is also Shadow Secretary of State for International Development.
We do so by way of highlighting the British Government’s thinking on the issue of Constitutional Reform. And as an organisation GGR has to say: there can be no reform of the Consitution which does not address the issue of human rights in a substantial and honest way, a spokesperson stated.
In fact, GGR is pleased at the level of concern and understanding being expressed by Westminster politicians in general and by Her Majesty’s Government in particular, and it is especially noteworthy and instructive that Minister MacShane answers a fairly general question with a very specific response regarding the manner in which the British Government foresees change within a prospective new Constitution for Gibraltar. In fact, Mr MacShane’s response centres on the Constitutional aspect and GGR is pleased to note the manner in which its lobbying on the matter has taken root.
The communiqué further adds that judging from the Parliamentary statement by the Minister “HMG is very clear on this matter: as the party responsible for Gibraltar’s compliance under both European Union and European Convention law, the British Government (to use their own parliamentary words) “wish to ensure that Gibraltar’s Constitution is in line†with these responsibilities. Additionally, GGR is gratified by the fact that the Minister in Parliament has taken the opportunity to reiterate HMG’s advice to the Gibraltar Government to equalise its Age of Consent legislation. All of these are heartening and clear indications of commitment to progress on matters for which GGR has been steadily campaigning.
In a few words: the Gibraltar Government is under notice from both the British Government’s and the European Court of Human Rights to equalise its Age of Consent legislation. GGR looks forward to widening our current official but limited dialogue and cooperation with the Gibraltar Government to include this and any other issues so as to seek social progress. Our readiness to talk will be accompanied by an equal readiness to listen. Sentiments which we trust will be duly and similarly reciprocated by the Gibraltar Government, the Statement ended.
Gibraltar Gay Rights (GGR) - Press Release - 28 February 2005 23:00