Topic: Rights of Lesbian and Gay Individuals
Country: Netherlands
Delegate Name: Sarah Fries
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Netherlands position papers GLIMUN 2009 committees
It is in the primary attention of The Kingdom of The Netherlands that the topic of rights for gay and lesbian persons is fully dealt with, while still keeping every member states’ best interest at hand. Presently, there is an immense spectrum of rights and punishments across the globe in place when individual countries are dealing with this matter. The Kingdom of The Netherlands would like all nations to exercise their sovereign privileges, but we would also like nations to take into consideration the rights of their own people. It is widely known that many religions do not openly agree with the views of gay and lesbian individuals, but it is imperative that all states recognize the rights of these humans in regards to their basic treatment as living beings. I can assure that discrimination is not a welcomed action for most, and therefore is it right that we simply look away when it is involving a more sensitive topic we do not wish to deal with.
When The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was put into action it stated that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” and that “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms… without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. Every member state of the United Nations agreed to this Declaration, and any discrimination or privileges denied to gay or lesbian individuals is a clear disregard to this assertion.
Furthermore, The Kingdom of the Netherlands wholly believes that it is essential for nations to give gay and lesbian individuals the civil liberties they have as human beings on this earth. Taking into account the differences in religious beliefs, member states are not being asked to change any of their opinions, but they are requested to not restrict or discriminate anyone for their own personal beliefs. Nations may have their sovereign privileges, but none of them can stand against the law of the United Nations and the natural rights all humans acquire by birth into this world. No matter a person’s religion or culture they are born into, they have the right to life and to live as they wish. A human’s birth place should not determine the boundaries of their liberties, everyone has the same opportunities and constitutional rights regardless of their sexual orientation.
