Petition Urges Pacific Islands Forum to Pressure Member Nations on Homosexuality Law Reform - ABC Radio Australia

Pacific Beat with Catherine Graue and Andrew Thompson - July 23, 2018:

At least 2,000 people have put their name to a petition sponsored by the Leitis in Waiting Pacific Equality Project and the Pacific Human Rights Initiative calling on the Pacific Islands Forum to use its influence to help decriminalize homosexuality.

LGTBI advocates behind the petition argue that while PIF says it promotes equality for all people in the Pacific, seven of its member states still criminalise homosexuality.

The laws vary from Kiribati to PNG, Solomon Islands and Tonga, but those found guilty of breaking them face imprisonment, up to 14 years in some instances.

Campaigners say while the laws aren't often enforced, they reinforce negative attitudes and results in discrimination, and in some cases, even leads to violent attacks.

Pacific Beat interviews Ymania Brown, Director of the Pacific Human Rights Initiative and Joe Wilson, Director of the Leitis in Waiting Pacific Equality Project.