Queen signs charter to advance gay rights

Updated

Queen Elizabeth II has signed a charter calling for an end to discrimination across the Commonwealth to keep the group of nations "fit and agile".

The document - the Charter of the Commonwealth - was signed by the 86-year-old monarch at a reception hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at Marlborough House in London.

Gay rights group Stonewall said it was the "first time that the Queen has publicly acknowledged the importance of the six per cent of her subjects who are gay".

The 16-point charter was adopted by all nations in the group in December. It also aims to protect democracy, the rule of law, international security and free speech.

The charter also contains commitments to end discrimination.

"We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds," the document reads.

But Australian-born gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said the sovereign had made no "explicit commitment" to homosexual equality.

The Queen says the charter will "light the path" for all 54 Commonwealth countries to follow.

"Throughout the ages charters have been seen as special documents, designed with care to stand the test of time," the Queen said.

"The charter I will sign today on behalf of you all represents a significant milestone as the Commonwealth continues its journey of development and renewal.

"I hope the carefully chosen words of the charter will re-invigorate efforts already begun to make the Commonwealth fit and agile for the years ahead, so that it can apply its global wisdom in the hopes and needs of this and future generations."

The Queen has been recovering from a stomach bug which put her in hospital last week and forced her to cancel appearances at some Commonwealth Day events taking place in London.

It is the first time the Queen has missed a Commonwealth Day Observance service for 20 years, the last occasion being when she had flu in 1993.

ABC/wires

Topics: royal-and-imperial-matters, human-interest, discrimination, united-kingdom

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