LGBT+ rights in the Commonwealth

Summary

That this House notes that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is set to take place in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, from 1 to 4 November 2026; recognises the value of the Commonwealth to the United Kingdom through its diplomatic, educational, sporting, cultural and family ties; further notes that the Commonwealth Charter commits all 56 member states to equality, human dignity, tolerance and respect for human rights; expresses deep concern that 29 member states, more than half of the Commonwealth, still criminalise consensual same-sex relations between adults; further recognises that LGBT+ people in many of these countries face imprisonment, violence and societal exclusion, and that anti-LGBT laws are being extended in some states; welcomes the progress made in countries such as India, Botswana and Saint Lucia; and calls on the Government to use the upcoming meeting to secure a clear commitment from member states to repeal laws criminalising same-sex relations, to uphold the rights of transgender people, and to work alongside local civil society to end discrimination against LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth.

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Timeline

1. 28 October 2026

   Early Day Motion

   That this House notes that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is set to take place in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, from 1 to 4 November 2026; recognises the value of the Commonwealth to the United Kingdom through its diplomatic, educational, sporting, cultural and family ties; further notes that the Commonwealth Charter commits all 56 member states to equality, human dignity, tolerance and respect for human rights; expresses deep concern that 29 member states, more than half of the Commonwealth, still criminalise consensual same-sex relations between adults; further recognises that LGBT+ people in many of these countries face imprisonment, violence and societal exclusion, and that anti-LGBT laws are being extended in some states; welcomes the progress made in countries such as India, Botswana and Saint Lucia; and calls on the Government to use the upcoming meeting to secure a clear commitment from member states to repeal laws criminalising same-sex relations, to uphold the rights of transgender people, and to work alongside local civil society to end discrimination against LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth.

   Source: Early Day Motion

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Sponsors

• Ben Maguire · Liberal Democrat · Primary sponsor

Related records

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