UnderSecretary on Mark for Human Rights of LGBT
US under Secretary of State conducts visit to Belize
 |
| Date: Thu 29, Mar 2012 | |
This morning at the
house of culture, Maria Otero, Under Secretary for the United States
Government and coordinator for U.S. foreign relations, met with the
Belizean media for a press briefing. Otero in her opening remarks
touched on a number of issues including transnational crimes and the
homosexual agenda.
Maria Otero
This visit represents the priority that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have for our bilateral partnership with Belize. I have been impressed by the caliber of so many of your dedicated public officials working hard in the Ministries hand in hand with the members of Civil Society to tackle some of the most difficult challenges that are facing Belize today – from corruption and gang violence to creating economic opportunity for all the members of the Belizean society. The United States is pleased that Prime Minister Barrow has prioritized these issues for the second term of his administration and we look forward to working together to tackle these complex challenges with concrete advancement and results. Our nation shares common aspiration and common challenges including transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and threats to human rights for our most vulnerable population.
The media posed questions to Otero in regard to US foreign policy on countries that don’t necessarily discriminate against homosexuals, such as Belize, but see the lifestyle as morally wrong.
Maria Otero
I will comment by repeating the importance that we give to using the universal declarations of Human Rights as the basis of ensuring that dignity and freedom is available to every individual in a society and enables every individual to have the rights that are provided to all others, regardless of whether that persons suffers a disability, has a different sexual orientation, is a woman or has any other characteristics that sometimes causes a society to restrict the Human Rights that that person has. It is from that perspective that we see sexual orientation as one factor that we consider has to be respected and that is the core of why we believe that issue needs to be looked at in the context of Human Rights.
Otero was asked if the US would cut off financial aid to Belize as a means of coercing Belize into accepting their US policies.
Maria Otero
There is no way in which the aids that the United States is providing is conditioned by decision. Again, if one looks at the principle freedoms that we have all signed on, your country and my country, that emerge from that very important declaration of the Human Rights and know that those Human Rights extend to all of the principle freedoms that individuals need to have. That for us is the point of departure in addressing these concerns. It is certainly one of the issues that continue to prevail in all societies, because this does not imply that for us in the United States, all individuals are given full freedom of their rights, we still have a lot of work to do in order to accomplish that. These are the principles that we believe are the most important to us as we proceed in our own society and other societies.
Some Central American Nations are discussing the decriminalizing of drugs– Otero was asked to respond to this.
Maria Otero
Our sense of that meeting and certainly our own position, which continues to be the position that we have held is a position that does not believe that decriminalizing drugs is the proper approach in dealing with it. This is the position that the US has held and continues to hold. We don’t believe that is the way to be able to address this issue. We note also that the countries in Central America agree with that decision, they also question whether decriminalizing is the approach that we can take to this issue.
The US demand for drugs is a real factor and with the trans-shipment of drugs through Central America, this creates a growing discontent amongst third world countries. The blame, Otero stated, is not to be laid on the US only but on other countries as well . Otero responded that drugs have become a global problem.
Maria Otero
You know this issue of trafficking persons is a scourge that is present in every country, including the US and our efforts is to elevate the importance of that issue and to bring forth more action from all governments. We applaud the work that Belize has done in this area and the advances that it has made not only prosecuting and convicting criminals that are associated with trafficking the most vulnerable of peoples in the society, but also in being able to provide more protection to potential victims and being able to prevent some of the happenings by increasing public awareness and by engaging in an important way.
Otero says that Belize has made great strides in battling human trafficking and that the relationship between Belize and the US is very important, hence her visit.
Maria Otero
There is no question that the threat drug trafficking presents is one that creates a shared responsibility, certainly in the United States and we believe that we need to work hand in hand with the Governments of Central America to be able to address it. As I have mentioned, we are putting forth hundreds of millions of dollars to all of the countries in Central America to help them build up their own capacity to address the issues through the Police forces and other institutions to be able to have access to the equipment and technology that can also help them to address this. It is important to note that consumption in the US of cocaine in particular has decreased, but what is of great concern is that the consumption has increased in many countries in South America in particular, but also in Europe. So we are saying that the problem is not a Central American one, but really a global transnational one.
The Under Secretary met with the Deputy Prime Minister in lieu of PM Barrow who is out of the country.
Maria Otero
This visit represents the priority that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have for our bilateral partnership with Belize. I have been impressed by the caliber of so many of your dedicated public officials working hard in the Ministries hand in hand with the members of Civil Society to tackle some of the most difficult challenges that are facing Belize today – from corruption and gang violence to creating economic opportunity for all the members of the Belizean society. The United States is pleased that Prime Minister Barrow has prioritized these issues for the second term of his administration and we look forward to working together to tackle these complex challenges with concrete advancement and results. Our nation shares common aspiration and common challenges including transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and threats to human rights for our most vulnerable population.
The media posed questions to Otero in regard to US foreign policy on countries that don’t necessarily discriminate against homosexuals, such as Belize, but see the lifestyle as morally wrong.
Maria Otero
I will comment by repeating the importance that we give to using the universal declarations of Human Rights as the basis of ensuring that dignity and freedom is available to every individual in a society and enables every individual to have the rights that are provided to all others, regardless of whether that persons suffers a disability, has a different sexual orientation, is a woman or has any other characteristics that sometimes causes a society to restrict the Human Rights that that person has. It is from that perspective that we see sexual orientation as one factor that we consider has to be respected and that is the core of why we believe that issue needs to be looked at in the context of Human Rights.
Otero was asked if the US would cut off financial aid to Belize as a means of coercing Belize into accepting their US policies.
Maria Otero
There is no way in which the aids that the United States is providing is conditioned by decision. Again, if one looks at the principle freedoms that we have all signed on, your country and my country, that emerge from that very important declaration of the Human Rights and know that those Human Rights extend to all of the principle freedoms that individuals need to have. That for us is the point of departure in addressing these concerns. It is certainly one of the issues that continue to prevail in all societies, because this does not imply that for us in the United States, all individuals are given full freedom of their rights, we still have a lot of work to do in order to accomplish that. These are the principles that we believe are the most important to us as we proceed in our own society and other societies.
Some Central American Nations are discussing the decriminalizing of drugs– Otero was asked to respond to this.
Maria Otero
Our sense of that meeting and certainly our own position, which continues to be the position that we have held is a position that does not believe that decriminalizing drugs is the proper approach in dealing with it. This is the position that the US has held and continues to hold. We don’t believe that is the way to be able to address this issue. We note also that the countries in Central America agree with that decision, they also question whether decriminalizing is the approach that we can take to this issue.
The US demand for drugs is a real factor and with the trans-shipment of drugs through Central America, this creates a growing discontent amongst third world countries. The blame, Otero stated, is not to be laid on the US only but on other countries as well . Otero responded that drugs have become a global problem.
Maria Otero
You know this issue of trafficking persons is a scourge that is present in every country, including the US and our efforts is to elevate the importance of that issue and to bring forth more action from all governments. We applaud the work that Belize has done in this area and the advances that it has made not only prosecuting and convicting criminals that are associated with trafficking the most vulnerable of peoples in the society, but also in being able to provide more protection to potential victims and being able to prevent some of the happenings by increasing public awareness and by engaging in an important way.
Otero says that Belize has made great strides in battling human trafficking and that the relationship between Belize and the US is very important, hence her visit.
Maria Otero
There is no question that the threat drug trafficking presents is one that creates a shared responsibility, certainly in the United States and we believe that we need to work hand in hand with the Governments of Central America to be able to address it. As I have mentioned, we are putting forth hundreds of millions of dollars to all of the countries in Central America to help them build up their own capacity to address the issues through the Police forces and other institutions to be able to have access to the equipment and technology that can also help them to address this. It is important to note that consumption in the US of cocaine in particular has decreased, but what is of great concern is that the consumption has increased in many countries in South America in particular, but also in Europe. So we are saying that the problem is not a Central American one, but really a global transnational one.
The Under Secretary met with the Deputy Prime Minister in lieu of PM Barrow who is out of the country.
Source: http://www.plustvbelize.com/Featured/NewsDetails/tabid/63/ArticleId/2656/US-under-Secretary-of-State-conducts-visit-to-Belize.aspx
This 2nd Story is from channel 5
Mar 29, 2012
Under Secretary Otero’s portfolio also includes human rights.
Otero also met with human’s rights groups in Belize one of which is
UNIBAM, the gay rights group fronted by Caleb Orozco. Otero, while
seated next to U.S. Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally, explained to a media
gathering at the House of Culture, that the U.S. isn’t trying to coerce
nations into accepting its own progressive views.
Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State
“Through our partnership US providing support to Belize stronger public institutions to combat corruption and impunity and to strengthen respect for human rights especially for those most vulnerable groups in society: women and members of the lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender community. Now although each country has its own unique culture, the United States continues to believe that human rights must be respected for all individuals regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Vinai Thummalapally, U.S. Ambassador
“In terms of linking this conversation of Human Rights for
Everybody including LGBT, you are asking a question is there a
connection, a direct connection; the answer is no. The Under Secretary
was very clear in saying it’s not a litmus test on countries. If we use
that litmus test; we basically have to withdraw aid from ninety-nine
percent of the countries we are working with. So I would say I would be
very comfortable in saying that the connection is not so direct.”
Maria Otero
“If one looks at the principal freedoms that we have all signed on—your country and my country—that emerged from that very important declaration of the human rights; and note that those human rights extends to all the principal freedoms that individuals need to have. That for us is the point of departure in addressing these concerns. It is certainly one of the issues that continues to prevail in all societies because this does not imply that for us in the United States all individuals are given full freedom of their rights. We still have a lot of work to do in order to accomplish that.”
US Human Rights equal gay rights?
Maria Otero
Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State
“Through our partnership US providing support to Belize stronger public institutions to combat corruption and impunity and to strengthen respect for human rights especially for those most vulnerable groups in society: women and members of the lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender community. Now although each country has its own unique culture, the United States continues to believe that human rights must be respected for all individuals regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Vinai Thummalapally, U.S. Ambassador
Vinai Thummalapally
Maria Otero
“If one looks at the principal freedoms that we have all signed on—your country and my country—that emerged from that very important declaration of the human rights; and note that those human rights extends to all the principal freedoms that individuals need to have. That for us is the point of departure in addressing these concerns. It is certainly one of the issues that continues to prevail in all societies because this does not imply that for us in the United States all individuals are given full freedom of their rights. We still have a lot of work to do in order to accomplish that.”
US under Secretary of State conducts visit to Belize
|
| Date: Thu 29, Mar 2012 | |
This morning at the
house of culture, Maria Otero, Under Secretary for the United States
Government and coordinator for U.S. foreign relations, met with the
Belizean media for a press briefing. Otero in her opening remarks
touched on a number of issues including transnational crimes and the
homosexual agenda.
Maria Otero
This visit represents the priority that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have for our bilateral partnership with Belize. I have been impressed by the caliber of so many of your dedicated public officials working hard in the Ministries hand in hand with the members of Civil Society to tackle some of the most difficult challenges that are facing Belize today – from corruption and gang violence to creating economic opportunity for all the members of the Belizean society. The United States is pleased that Prime Minister Barrow has prioritized these issues for the second term of his administration and we look forward to working together to tackle these complex challenges with concrete advancement and results. Our nation shares common aspiration and common challenges including transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and threats to human rights for our most vulnerable population.
The media posed questions to Otero in regard to US foreign policy on countries that don’t necessarily discriminate against homosexuals, such as Belize, but see the lifestyle as morally wrong.
Maria Otero
I will comment by repeating the importance that we give to using the universal declarations of Human Rights as the basis of ensuring that dignity and freedom is available to every individual in a society and enables every individual to have the rights that are provided to all others, regardless of whether that persons suffers a disability, has a different sexual orientation, is a woman or has any other characteristics that sometimes causes a society to restrict the Human Rights that that person has. It is from that perspective that we see sexual orientation as one factor that we consider has to be respected and that is the core of why we believe that issue needs to be looked at in the context of Human Rights.
Otero was asked if the US would cut off financial aid to Belize as a means of coercing Belize into accepting their US policies.
Maria Otero
There is no way in which the aids that the United States is providing is conditioned by decision. Again, if one looks at the principle freedoms that we have all signed on, your country and my country, that emerge from that very important declaration of the Human Rights and know that those Human Rights extend to all of the principle freedoms that individuals need to have. That for us is the point of departure in addressing these concerns. It is certainly one of the issues that continue to prevail in all societies, because this does not imply that for us in the United States, all individuals are given full freedom of their rights, we still have a lot of work to do in order to accomplish that. These are the principles that we believe are the most important to us as we proceed in our own society and other societies.
Some Central American Nations are discussing the decriminalizing of drugs– Otero was asked to respond to this.
Maria Otero
Our sense of that meeting and certainly our own position, which continues to be the position that we have held is a position that does not believe that decriminalizing drugs is the proper approach in dealing with it. This is the position that the US has held and continues to hold. We don’t believe that is the way to be able to address this issue. We note also that the countries in Central America agree with that decision, they also question whether decriminalizing is the approach that we can take to this issue.
The US demand for drugs is a real factor and with the trans-shipment of drugs through Central America, this creates a growing discontent amongst third world countries. The blame, Otero stated, is not to be laid on the US only but on other countries as well . Otero responded that drugs have become a global problem.
Maria Otero
You know this issue of trafficking persons is a scourge that is present in every country, including the US and our efforts is to elevate the importance of that issue and to bring forth more action from all governments. We applaud the work that Belize has done in this area and the advances that it has made not only prosecuting and convicting criminals that are associated with trafficking the most vulnerable of peoples in the society, but also in being able to provide more protection to potential victims and being able to prevent some of the happenings by increasing public awareness and by engaging in an important way.
Otero says that Belize has made great strides in battling human trafficking and that the relationship between Belize and the US is very important, hence her visit.
Maria Otero
There is no question that the threat drug trafficking presents is one that creates a shared responsibility, certainly in the United States and we believe that we need to work hand in hand with the Governments of Central America to be able to address it. As I have mentioned, we are putting forth hundreds of millions of dollars to all of the countries in Central America to help them build up their own capacity to address the issues through the Police forces and other institutions to be able to have access to the equipment and technology that can also help them to address this. It is important to note that consumption in the US of cocaine in particular has decreased, but what is of great concern is that the consumption has increased in many countries in South America in particular, but also in Europe. So we are saying that the problem is not a Central American one, but really a global transnational one.
The Under Secretary met with the Deputy Prime Minister in lieu of PM Barrow who is out of the country.
Maria Otero
This visit represents the priority that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have for our bilateral partnership with Belize. I have been impressed by the caliber of so many of your dedicated public officials working hard in the Ministries hand in hand with the members of Civil Society to tackle some of the most difficult challenges that are facing Belize today – from corruption and gang violence to creating economic opportunity for all the members of the Belizean society. The United States is pleased that Prime Minister Barrow has prioritized these issues for the second term of his administration and we look forward to working together to tackle these complex challenges with concrete advancement and results. Our nation shares common aspiration and common challenges including transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and threats to human rights for our most vulnerable population.
The media posed questions to Otero in regard to US foreign policy on countries that don’t necessarily discriminate against homosexuals, such as Belize, but see the lifestyle as morally wrong.
Maria Otero
I will comment by repeating the importance that we give to using the universal declarations of Human Rights as the basis of ensuring that dignity and freedom is available to every individual in a society and enables every individual to have the rights that are provided to all others, regardless of whether that persons suffers a disability, has a different sexual orientation, is a woman or has any other characteristics that sometimes causes a society to restrict the Human Rights that that person has. It is from that perspective that we see sexual orientation as one factor that we consider has to be respected and that is the core of why we believe that issue needs to be looked at in the context of Human Rights.
Otero was asked if the US would cut off financial aid to Belize as a means of coercing Belize into accepting their US policies.
Maria Otero
There is no way in which the aids that the United States is providing is conditioned by decision. Again, if one looks at the principle freedoms that we have all signed on, your country and my country, that emerge from that very important declaration of the Human Rights and know that those Human Rights extend to all of the principle freedoms that individuals need to have. That for us is the point of departure in addressing these concerns. It is certainly one of the issues that continue to prevail in all societies, because this does not imply that for us in the United States, all individuals are given full freedom of their rights, we still have a lot of work to do in order to accomplish that. These are the principles that we believe are the most important to us as we proceed in our own society and other societies.
Some Central American Nations are discussing the decriminalizing of drugs– Otero was asked to respond to this.
Maria Otero
Our sense of that meeting and certainly our own position, which continues to be the position that we have held is a position that does not believe that decriminalizing drugs is the proper approach in dealing with it. This is the position that the US has held and continues to hold. We don’t believe that is the way to be able to address this issue. We note also that the countries in Central America agree with that decision, they also question whether decriminalizing is the approach that we can take to this issue.
The US demand for drugs is a real factor and with the trans-shipment of drugs through Central America, this creates a growing discontent amongst third world countries. The blame, Otero stated, is not to be laid on the US only but on other countries as well . Otero responded that drugs have become a global problem.
Maria Otero
You know this issue of trafficking persons is a scourge that is present in every country, including the US and our efforts is to elevate the importance of that issue and to bring forth more action from all governments. We applaud the work that Belize has done in this area and the advances that it has made not only prosecuting and convicting criminals that are associated with trafficking the most vulnerable of peoples in the society, but also in being able to provide more protection to potential victims and being able to prevent some of the happenings by increasing public awareness and by engaging in an important way.
Otero says that Belize has made great strides in battling human trafficking and that the relationship between Belize and the US is very important, hence her visit.
Maria Otero
There is no question that the threat drug trafficking presents is one that creates a shared responsibility, certainly in the United States and we believe that we need to work hand in hand with the Governments of Central America to be able to address it. As I have mentioned, we are putting forth hundreds of millions of dollars to all of the countries in Central America to help them build up their own capacity to address the issues through the Police forces and other institutions to be able to have access to the equipment and technology that can also help them to address this. It is important to note that consumption in the US of cocaine in particular has decreased, but what is of great concern is that the consumption has increased in many countries in South America in particular, but also in Europe. So we are saying that the problem is not a Central American one, but really a global transnational one.
The Under Secretary met with the Deputy Prime Minister in lieu of PM Barrow who is out of the country.
Source: http://www.plustvbelize.com/Featured/NewsDetails/tabid/63/ArticleId/2656/US-under-Secretary-of-State-conducts-visit-to-Belize.aspx
Love FM also covered the event in the following way:
source: http://www.lovetv.com.bz/2012/03/29/us-undersecratary-of-state-wraps-up-working-visit-to-belize/
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