Members of humanist organizations from around the world represented at the Congress/General Assembly of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, January 1999, in Mumbai (India), express as their opinion the following:

RECALLING

* policy statement IHEU-Board 1994
* resolution IHEU-Congress 1992 Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
* IHEU-motion to the Council of Europe NGO-meeting 1990
* resolution IHEU-Congress 1988 Buffalo (New York, USA)

The International Humanist & Ethical Union

* Being of the opinion that all people should have the freedom to choose their own lifestyle and - regardless of their sexual orientation - are fundamentally equal and have equal rights:

* Being of the opinion that this right of individual self-determination and equality form the basis of democracy and should be defended against all forms of prejudice:

The 67th Meeting of Non-Governmental Organisations holding consultative status with the Council of Europe and interested in human rights, present in Strasbourg on October 1990:

1. Having read the "Memorandum on Recent Developments in Law Affecting the Human Rights of Homosexual Women and Men" introduced by the International Humanist & Ethical Union on September 28 1989;

2. Convinced that the fight against all forms of discrimination is of vital importance for the maintenance and further realisation of human rights in the member states of the Council of Europe;

The International Humanist & Ethical Union:

* Being of the opinion that all people should have the freedom to choose their own life style and that all people - regardless of their sexual preference - are fundamentally equal and have equal rights to a human existence;

* Being of the opinion that this right of individual self-determination and equality form the basis of democracy and should be defended against all forms of prejudice and discrimination;

The International Humanist & Ethical Union, assembled at its 8th World Congress in Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, August 1-5, 1982,

Considering that humanism stands for individual freedom, development of the self, and solidarity with fellow-men and women,

Considering that sexual experiences, in themselves not bound up with time, age or place, nor with the function of procreation, are among the fundamental human rights,

To the Chairman of the House of Representatives
Of the United States, Hon Thomas O'Neil Jr
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. USA

Dear Mr Chairman

The International Humanist & Ethical Union wishes to record its deep concern about the fact that there is still a law in force under which non-American homosexuals are prevented from obtaining a visa for the United States.

In a less enlightened country than yours such a manifest violation of human rights might perhaps be expected, but certainly not in a nation like yours which professes to be an advocate of these rights.