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# Peter Tatchell stages protest at Commonwealth Day service
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/peter-tatchell-stages-protest-at-commonwealth-day-service/
- Published: 2022-03-15T12:00:54.000Z
- Updated: 2022-03-15T11:49:12.000Z
- Description: Peter Tatchell was on Monday, March 14 threatened with arrest when he tried to stage a one-person silent peaceful protest for LGBTQ+ rights outside Westminster Abbey as Commonwealth leaders arrived for the annual Commonwealth Day service.
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: News, Commonwealth, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ rights, Peter Tatchell

**Peter Tatchell** was on **Monday, March 14** threatened with arrest when he tried to stage a one-person silent peaceful protest for LGBTQ+ rights outside **Westminster Abbey** as **Commonwealth** leaders arrived for the annual **Commonwealth Day** service.

Mr Tatchell was told that holding a placard near the Abbey entrance criticising the 35 Commonwealth countries that criminalise LGBTQ+ people was “likely to cause a breach of the peace” and that he would be arrested and prosecuted.

Officers forced Mr Tatchell to move to the other side of road, where Commonwealth leaders and **High Commissioners** could not see him.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/rainbow-riots-press-1.jpg)

Mr Tatchell went to the side of Abbey and shouted his critique of Commonwealth homophobia through a high-powered megaphone, which could be heard inside by some of the dignitaries.

Mr Tatchell shouted: “Thirty-five out of 54 Commonwealth counties criminalise homosexuality. Seven have life imprisonment. The Commonwealth’s estimated 100-200 million LGBTQ+ citizens are treated as criminals.

“These anti-LGBTQ+ laws violate the **Commonwealth Charter** which pledges that all member states are ‘committed to equality’ and ‘opposed to all forms of discrimination.’

“Commonwealth leaders refuse to recognise that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. For over 50 years, they’ve vetoed any discussion of the issue at their heads of government meetings.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/image-from-rawpixel-id-3818903-jpeg.jpg)

”Countries that criminalise LGBTQ+ people should be suspended from the Commonwealth.”

Speaking after the protest, Mr Tatchell added: “Commonwealth countries account for over half of the world’s 69 nations where same-sex relations are illegal, mostly under laws imposed by Britain during the nineteenth century when it was the colonial power.

“Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are widespread and unchecked in most Commonwealth countries. The vast majority of LGBTQ+ people living in the Commonwealth have no legal protection against discrimination in employment, housing and the provision of goods and services. This makes a mockery of Commonwealth values and the human rights principles of the Commonwealth Charter.”

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/image-from-rawpixel-id-1205460-jpeg.jpg)

Mr Tatchell is urging all Commonwealth governments to:· Decriminalise same-sex relations· Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity· Enforce laws against threats and violence, to protect LGBTQ+ people from hate crimes

· Consult and dialogue with their LGBTQ+ organisations

The seven Commonwealth countries that have a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for same-sex acts are: **Bangladesh**, **Barbados**, **Guyana**, **Pakistan**, **Sierra Leone**, **Tanzania** and **Uganda**.

[The Peter Tatchell Foundation website](https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)

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