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U.N. Will Consider Same-Sex Privileges For Employees
Aired August 05, 2003 - 15:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well just as gay rights debates convulse this country, similar struggles are playing out in nations around the world and at the U.N. CNN's Richard Roth joins us now from New York with more on this -- Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra, 191 countries inside the United Nations. However for staff members here of the U.N., they are not entitled to same-sex benefits for loved ones. The laws here do not extend that far, and gay and lesbian staff members have been pushing over the years for a change of policy.
Now the United Nations says it's considering such a policy change, but first it must undergo a review. Last evening here at the United Nations gay and lesbian activists met to discuss the issue. The United Nations senior officials there said they heard the message. There's U.S. Congressman Barney Frank who was there. One member of the Canadian Parliament talked about the need for change in the U.N. attitude.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SVEND ROBINSON, CANADIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER: I would have thought that an organization like the U.N., who after all was founded on the basis of the principals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says that everyone is equal in dignity and rights, would recognize that that includes gay and lesbian people and that it should practice what it preaches, make sure its own employees have benefits, as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: The staff members think it should be put into official international treaties now. Secretary-General Kofi Annan reviewed the situation with his senior aides and he says he intends to act on the organizations long-established principal that matters of personal status should be determined by reference to the law of the staff members nationality.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KOFI ANNAN, SECRETARY-GENERAL, U.N.: There are many views (UNINTELLIGIBLE) sensitivities, which one would have to respect. But I think the individual's rights must be respected. And there is a tendency to discriminate, to persecute. And I think it's a tendency we should move away from and be much more tolerant and much more compassionate. (END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: Dozens of countries by law prohibit homosexuality. The U.N. has a lot to work through to reach a new decision on this matter -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Richard Roth, from the U.N. Thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 5, 2003 - 15:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well just as gay rights debates convulse this country, similar struggles are playing out in nations around the world and at the U.N. CNN's Richard Roth joins us now from New York with more on this -- Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra, 191 countries inside the United Nations. However for staff members here of the U.N., they are not entitled to same-sex benefits for loved ones. The laws here do not extend that far, and gay and lesbian staff members have been pushing over the years for a change of policy.
Now the United Nations says it's considering such a policy change, but first it must undergo a review. Last evening here at the United Nations gay and lesbian activists met to discuss the issue. The United Nations senior officials there said they heard the message. There's U.S. Congressman Barney Frank who was there. One member of the Canadian Parliament talked about the need for change in the U.N. attitude.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SVEND ROBINSON, CANADIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER: I would have thought that an organization like the U.N., who after all was founded on the basis of the principals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says that everyone is equal in dignity and rights, would recognize that that includes gay and lesbian people and that it should practice what it preaches, make sure its own employees have benefits, as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: The staff members think it should be put into official international treaties now. Secretary-General Kofi Annan reviewed the situation with his senior aides and he says he intends to act on the organizations long-established principal that matters of personal status should be determined by reference to the law of the staff members nationality.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KOFI ANNAN, SECRETARY-GENERAL, U.N.: There are many views (UNINTELLIGIBLE) sensitivities, which one would have to respect. But I think the individual's rights must be respected. And there is a tendency to discriminate, to persecute. And I think it's a tendency we should move away from and be much more tolerant and much more compassionate. (END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: Dozens of countries by law prohibit homosexuality. The U.N. has a lot to work through to reach a new decision on this matter -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Richard Roth, from the U.N. Thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
