India’s Ministry of External Affairs has found itself in a diplomatic quagmire after finding out two high-ranking Canadian diplomats live with their legal spouses. The unnamed politicos – a man and a woman – both married their partners while still living in Canada. Unfortunately, the Indian government still abides by the colonial era law, Section 377, which forbids homosexuality.
Upon hearing of the queer couples, the Ministry of External Affairs told the Canadian government it cannot honor their marriages, nor will they allow diplomatic immunity…
The Canadian mission is trying to seek immunity from Indian laws under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963. The convention allows for certain privileges to diplomats and their families on foreign soil.
MEA, however, remains steadfast on its stand, saying the Vienna conventions allow for immunity only from criminal procedure and that the law of the land still applies to the diplomats where they are based.
Though the government has given no indication of its intent, it does reserve the option of arresting and jailing the offending homos. Talk about an international incident.
Delhi in same-sex diplomat dilemma [The Telegraph]
Gay diplomats put MEA in big dilemma [IBN]
Chris
Overpopulated slums with open sewers, underfed if not plain old starving children, just to name a few things that should occupy their time…and the Indian government is worried about Canadian Homos shacking up on the sub-continent!?
Sounds like they’ve got their priorities straight! (Pun very MUCH intended)