Verhagen presented with first copy of new Dittrich

[5/15/2009]

 

15-May-2009 | Press release | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Today, ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia on Sunday 17 May, foreign minister Maxime Verhagen was presented with the first copy of Boris Dittrich's book, Elke Liefde Telt (Every Love Counts). At an event marking the presentation, Mr Verhagen delivered an address concerning the government's international gay rights policy.

In his book, Boris Dittrich – former D66 parliamentary party leader and now Advocacy Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Programme at Human Rights Watch in New York – describes his attempts to track discrimination, promote debate on the subject and convince the international community that homophobic discrimination is a fundamental injustice. In his speech, Mr Verhagen described the book as a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the world of the human rights activist.

Mr Verhagen stressed that he and Mr Dittrich both work on the simple principle that human rights apply to all people, in all places, at all times. Mr Dittrich's book, he said, highlights the fact that many are willing to make an exception to that rule because they believe – usually on religious or cultural grounds – that the rights of LGBTs can be violated with impunity.

After emphasising that human rights should stand above individual religious convictions, cultural practices and traditions, Mr Verhagen described the government’s efforts to tackle discrimination against and the criminalisation of LGBTs around the world.

:: terug