British Embassy in Santiago flies rainbow flag
The embassy raised the rainbow flag to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Deputy Head of Mission Russell Baker marking IDAHO.
To mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the British Embassy in Santiago flew the rainbow flag – symbol of gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pride – next to the Union Jack, joining worldwide activities organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to commemorate this global event.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
The protection and promotion of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is an integral part of the Government’s wider international human rights agenda. Unfortunately, this position is not universally shared.
Internationally, the LGBT community continue to experience abuse of their human rights, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, restrictions on their freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and discrimination in employment and access to health services and education. They continue also to be subjected to violence and hate crimes.
On International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), our clear message is that human rights are universal and should apply equally to all people, as enshrined in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To render consenting same-sex relations illegal is incompatible with international human rights laws, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
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