Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Palestine
Delegate Name: Ashley Zhang
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Palestine position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Issues concerning Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender identities are controversial topics in regards to human rights. Countries such as Canada recognize LGBT rights as important due to the fact that homosexuals are still humans and still have natural rights. They allow same-sex marriage, adoption, and around 80% of Canadians surveyed have believed that homosexuality should be accepted in society. Whereas 93% of people surveyed in Palestine believe that homosexuality is unimportant because it conflicts with religious and cultural beliefs. Is it natural to be interested in same-sex relations? Does the law truly protect such interests? Does the law come before God? Issues with LGBT rights has caused endless arguments, and the world has yet to reach an agreement on the stance of homosexuality.
Palestine does not have any formal laws that strictly prohibits same-sex relations, however, Palestine considers them to be unacceptable in social and cultural perspectives. Acceptance of LGBT rights are discouraged typically because they interfere with Palestine’s main religion. As a society belonging to Sunni Islam, Palestine believes that homosexuality goes against Islam’s sacred texts, for the Qur’an considers same-sex relationships as vile, and speaks of condemnation of practitioners under sura XXIX: 28-35. Therefore, LGBT rights is not considered in need of recognition or protection because it is morally wrong and impure, and practitioners have personally condemned themselves. According to the Palestinian National Authority, homosexuality can be punishable by imprisonment.
Palestine recommends that punishment of homosexual practices remain implemented in hopes of discouraging same-sex relationships and maintaining good morality and faith throughout the state. We are aware of the different stances many other nations take on this issue, but we believe that in order for the purity of humanity to continue to exist, LGBT rights should not be recognized. Palestine hope to work with Saudi Arabia on the disapproval of homosexuality, and hopes to discuss with the nations and come to an agreement on the rights to the LGBT community.
