CariFLAGS asks Stuart to speak on Lowe

PORT OF SPAIN – CariFLAGS has called on Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to end the silence surrounding remarks made by one of his Cabinet ministers.

CariFLAGS, the coalition of leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organisations in the Caribbean, today sent a letter to Stuart, expressing disappointment regarding his silence on comments made by Minister of the Environment Dr Denis Lowe.

According to a press release, the letter reminded Stuart of his “duty and pledge to uphold human rights”. It also urged him to clarify the position of the Barbados Constitution and his own Government on deliberately excluding specific Barbadians from social protection, since “Lowe continues to serve in the Cabinet”.

Lowe recently stated he would not co-sign any gender neutral legislation because he was a person of faith.

Cari-FLAGS also threw its support behind president Donnya Piggott and the Barbados Gays, Lesbians and All-Sexuals Against Discrimination.

Both groups believe no Member of Parliament should “allow personal views to hinder their ability to serve the people of a country”.

The letter has also been copied to the InterAmerican Human Rights Commission. (PR/SAT)