India justifies vote against benefits for same-sex partners

India justifies vote against benefits for same-sex partners

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India on Wednesday justified voting against benefits for same-sex partners working at the UN, saying countries were “not consulted” on the plan.

Asserting that India does not want UN Secretary General to decide on the benefits or perks given to its nationals working in the UN, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, “It was a complex issue of nationals of a state should be governed by their laws or governed by decisions of others.”

India was among the 43 countries along with China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia that voted in support of a Russia-drafted resolution that proposed removing benefits for same-sex partners of UN staff. But the resolution failed to pass in the General Assembly committee after 80 nations opposed it.

Reacting to a query on India’s voting choice, the Spokesperson said, “The UN had until recently a system whereby they will decide on sort of emoluments or privileges for partners of spouses depending on the law of the country from which that individual hails.”

“In the sense it was that what governs you as an individual in your country will be the basis on which the UN would give you those benefits or perks or those entitlements. This was the established practice and had been approved by the UN General Assembly and accepted by every UN organisation,” Akbaruddin said.

“What happened more recently was the UN Secretary General of his own accord changed that.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1FVhlzg