by TONY BEST

AN EXPERT on a United Nations (UN) human rights panel wants Barbados to consider legalising homosexuality.

Such a step, contends Michael O'Flaherty, an expert from Ireland who sits on the UN Human Rights Committee, would make this country more sensitive to the needs of gay men and lesbians.

He believes it would protect these other lifestyle people against violence and discrimination in the country.

While not accusing Barbados of being homophobic, O'Flaherty said it had a responsibility to protect gays as they were a minority group.

His comments came during an 18-member expert panel discussion in New York that included Government backbencher Sir Louis Tull, who headed the Barbados delegation.

Idea raised

O'Flaherty raised the idea of de-criminalising homosexuality during an examination of Barbados' latest periodic human rights report by the committee that monitors how nations around the world comply with the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

As a signatory to this convenant, Barbados is required to submit reports to the panel.

O'Flaherty described homosexuals as a "high risk" group when it came to the deadly HIV/AIDS disease. They were also subject to "social marginalisation", he said, noting that the absence of social and legal protection often forced gays to hide their lifestyles.

But homosexuality wasn't the only thing on the minds of some experts who are elected by the UN General Assembly, but sit on the panel in their own capacity.

Some raised the dual issues of prostitution and trafficking in women.

The Irish expert insisted, for instance, those women who were being trafficked as prostitutes were "modern day slaves" and wondered if Barbados couldn't do more to curb trafficking and prostitution.

Sir Louis reported that most of the foreign-born prostitutes in Barbados were not victims of trafficking, but were engaging in it voluntarily.

He said legislation was "on the books" that made prostitution a criminal offence adding that Barbados was working with its CARICOM neighbours to come up with a definitive policy on prostitution and trafficking.