One of the basic underlying tenets of modern international law is that industrialized countries only give aid to developing nations with a strong track record on human rights. Unfortunately, this isn't always true. The United States, for instance, has given an average of $2 billion per year to Egypt since 1979, even though Egypt has one of the worst human rights records. In fact, LGBT persons are often the target of government crackdowns in Egypt.The United Kingdom, however, recently announced that they would no longer provide aid to countries that persecute gay people. According to international development secretary Andrew Mitchell, "fines" will be sanctioned on nations such as Ghana and Uganda, both of which have strict anti-gay laws.
In Ghana, for instance, the government has aimed to arrest all gays living in the country's western region. The country's president John Evans Atta Mills has publicly cited his wish to "curb the menace" of homosexuality.
Ghana will lose the £36 million it receives every year from the U.K. unless the government stops persecuting gay people.
Uganda, on the other hand, receives about £70 million annually from Britain. The government there has advocated the death penalty in "extreme" cases of homosexuality. However, the nation seems to be limiting the effectiveness and extent of their anti-gay laws since Britain's threat to remove the aid money.
Mitchell's office said that the U.K. government would now regularly screen countries that receive aid to ensure they're upholding basic human rights for all citizens.
The office reported, "The government is committed to combating violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in all circumstances, in this country and abroad."
The U.K. will now allocate aid to nations in three-month intervals instead of annually. The government hopes this will give nations that are sanctioned a chance to take immediate action in correcting human rights abuses. "We only provide aid directly to governments when we are satisfied that they share our commitments to reduce poverty and respect human rights."
It’s a sad commentary, on our nation, when the country our forefathers left to pursue freedom, is the one to show us the true meaning of humanity and caring.