US government backs declaration on homosexuality

The US government said it will sign a United Nations declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalisation of homosexuality.



The declaration was put forward by European Union countries and backed by 66 nations.



It was opposed by the Vatican and by most Caribbean and Muslim countries, where homosexuals are treated as criminals.



The State Department said the move is an expression of the country’s support of human rights and shows that it opposes abuses throughout the world.