Cablegate: Vatican Issues Statement Opposing Human Rights Violations

VZCZCXRO0192
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHROV #0136 3521206
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 181206Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1221
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 0010
INFO RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 1260

UNCLAS VATICAN 000136

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL VT UG
SUBJECT: VATICAN ISSUES STATEMENT OPPOSING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
AGAINST HOMOSEXUALS

REF: A. VATICAN 133
B. VATICAN 130

1. (SBU) The Holy See's legal attachi to the United Nations
issued a statement December 10 putting the Holy See on record as
opposed to "grave violations of human rights against homosexual
persons," in particular the use of the death penalty. Father
Philip Bene made his remarks following a panel discussion about
treatment of homosexuals by governments around the world as part
of the observance of Human Rights Day.

2. (U) Full text of the statement from the Holy See:

Thank you for convening this panel discussion and for providing
the opportunity to hear some very serious concerns raised this
afternoon. My comments are more in the form of a statement
rather than a question.

As stated during the debate of the General Assembly last year,
the Holy See continues to oppose all grave violations of human
rights against homosexual persons, such as the use of the death
penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading
punishment. The Holy See also opposes all forms of violence and
unjust discrimination against homosexual persons, including
discriminatory penal legislation which undermines the inherent
dignity of the human person.

As raised by some of the panelists today, the murder and abuse
of homosexual persons are to be confronted on all levels,
especially when such violence is perpetrated by the State. While
the Holy See's position on the concepts of sexual orientation
and gender identity remains well known, we continue to call on
all States and individuals to respect the rights of all persons
and to work to promote their inherent dignity and worth.

3. (SBU) Comment. The statement reflects previous Holy See
comments at the UN opposing discrimination against homosexuals.
Lacking, however, is its wider distribution to Catholic clergy
and congregations - or to embassies or other interested parties.
Although Embassy Vatican has raised this issue several times
with Holy See officials (reftels), we came across the statement
independently. Embassy Kampala may wish to share it with the
nuncio and/or the Ugandan conference of Catholic bishops. End
comment.

DIAZ

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