Dutch call on aid recipients to improve gay rights

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Netherlands, a major donor of international aid, will lobby developing countries to legalize homosexuality and fight discrimination, the government said on Wednesday.

A government survey showed homosexuality is illegal in 18 out of the 36 countries the Netherlands gives regular aid to, Development Minister Bert Koenders said in a statement, with punishment ranging from prison sentences to the death penalty.

"The Netherlands will promote as much equal treatment of homosexuals as possible. We will not avoid awkward discussions about this," he said in a letter to parliament.

Koenders has asked Dutch ambassadors in developing countries to push for gay rights unless local human rights organizations object on grounds it would be counter-productive.

Koenders said he is aware that the subject is sensitive in many places.

The Netherlands, which gives 4 billion euros ($5.85 billion) in aid each year to countries mostly in Africa, Asia and Latin America, became the first country in the world to allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt children in 2001.