Kaleidoscope Australia, a not for profit organisation committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the Asia Pacific region today commended the island nation of Palau on its actions in decriminalising male homosexuality.

In 2011, delegates from Norway, France, and Spain at Palau’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council made recommendations that Palau review its anti-gay laws.

The government of Palau has since undergone a review of its Penal Code, making revisions that came into effect in July this year.

There are 79 countries globally that are yet to decriminalize male homosexuality. A quarter of these countries are Australia’s near neighbours – 8 are in the Pacific region and 12 in Asia. Dr Paula Gerber, President of Kaleidoscope Australia commended the island nation for its progress:
“This is wonderful news -giving a much need impetus to the process for reform in the Pacific. It is especially pleasing to see that recommendations made during the UN Universal Periodic Review process appear to have had an impact. Kaleidoscope Australia regularly submits shadow reports to UN review processes, calling for an end to the criminalisation of homosexuality. Kaleidoscope Australia will continue to work with LGBTI activists in Asia Pacific nations to follow the example recently set by Palau.”

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