Resources

Report of the Human Dignity Trust on the extent and the consequences of the criminalisation of same-sex relations within the Commonwealth, prepared for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2015 in Malta, in association with the Commonwealth Lawyers Association

This note examines how, in addition to the criminalisation of LGBT people being an indicator of poor governance and poor human rights in and of itself, countries that criminalise tend to rank poorly on other indicators too.

This briefing note explores points of connection between religion and the criminalisation of private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity.

This note explores how during times of turmoil (conflict, natural disasters or widespread violence) the LGBT community can be further exposed to a specific type of violence and exclusion in countries criminalising private, consensual same-sex activity.

This note investigates the role that international organisations have played in bringing about the decriminalisation of same-sex sexual activity in domestic legal systems. It looks at the historic, current and potential roles of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the Commonwealth.

This note explores how laws that criminalise private, consensual same-sex sexual activity contravene international law. Criminalisation infringes upon the rights to privacy, non-discrimination and dignity, and may amount to inhuman and degrading treatment.