Wes Streeting MP for Ilford North and sixty other Parliamentary signaturies write to UK Palestinian Ambassador concerning police crackdown on LGBT rights group al-Qaws.
THE Palestinian Authority police have banned the LGBT rights group al-Qaws from organising activities in the West Bank. Their spokesperson Louay Arzeikat, said that al-Qaws’ activities ‘go against and infringe upon the higher principles and values of Palestinian society’, threatening the police would pursue al-Qaws’ staff and urged members of the public to confidentially inform upon them.
Wes Streeting, MP said: “We are extremely concerned by reports that the Palestinian Authority are attempting to silence al-Qaws, the Palestinian LGBT community group, following the remarks made by police spokesperson Louay Arzeikat.
“As supporters of Palestinian human rights and statehood as part of a two-state solution, we want to see the right to free expression being protected for everyone in Palestinian society – including the LGBT communities.
“We have sought urgent clarification from the Palestinian Ambassador concerning the PA’s attitude towards the human rights of LGBT Palestinians and their safety.”