The Day celebrates variety and raises consciousness of the human rights of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTIQ+) individuals.
Violations proceed
In her statement, UN rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, reminded that regardless of the numerous latest optimistic modifications around the globe that resulted from the arduous work of LGBTIQ+ human rights defenders, “widespread violations proceed: killings, torture, sexual violence, criminalization, and arbitrary detention”.
In keeping with the UN Inhabitants Fund (UNFPA), greater than one-third of all nations nonetheless criminalize same-sex relationships. And LGBTQI persons are denied authorized protections, important well being care, civil and human rights, together with a proper to bodily autonomy when pressured to undergo medical remedy or unnecessary surgical procedure.
Our Our bodies. Our Lives. Our Rights
This yr’s theme Our Bodies. Our Lives. Our Rights. goals to remind us that everybody has the correct to fulfil their full potential by means of exercising bodily autonomy, for it’s that proper upon which different human rights are constructed.
Ms. Bachelet burdened that “LGBTIQ+ persons are entitled to the equal respect for his or her dignity and equal respect, safety and fulfilment of their elementary human rights, similar to everybody else”.
Elevating issues over the continued harassment of LGBTIQ+ human rights defenders, discriminatory restrictions on freedom of expression, affiliation and peaceable meeting, and new proposed discriminatory measures in a variety of nations, together with some that particularly goal trans individuals, Ms. Bachelet urged States to behave with urgency to do extra to guard their rights.
‘Handled as criminals’
UN Women added their voice to the decision, in solidarity with “all individuals of various sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intercourse traits”.
Armed conflicts and the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and local weather change, have additional fuelled injustices.
“Over the past yr, an elevated variety of legal guidelines and insurance policies have criminalized and stigmatized gender variety. For LGBTIQ+ people who find themselves low-income, younger, disabled, Black, Indigenous, or individuals of color, such threats to bodily autonomy are skilled along with different types of discrimination and marginalization”, UN Ladies mentioned in a statement.
In keeping with latest knowledge, an estimated two billion individuals dwell in environments the place LGBTIQ+ persons are handled as criminals.
Just one third of nations shield individuals from discrimination primarily based on sexual orientation; just one tenth shield trans individuals from discrimination primarily based on gender id, and fewer than one in 20 shield intersex individuals from discrimination.
© UNHCR/Susan Hopper
The Worldwide Day Towards Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is now celebrated in additional than 130 nations.
Pressured to flee
Additionally marking the date, UN refugee company chief Filippo Grandi highlighted the risks for LGBTIQ+, with too many nations nonetheless contemplating same-sex relationships unlawful.
In some nations, same-sex {couples} even face the dying penalty, Mr. Grandi warned, noting that others “refuse or are unable to guard those that undergo or are susceptible to violence” from gangs, their communities and even their very own households.
“Confronted with this actuality, many LGBTIQ+ individuals haven’t any alternative however to flee”, the UN company chief mentioned.
“But, at the same time as they attempt to discover security, they typically proceed to face dangers, together with violence or sexual abuse. Discrimination is usually the one factor LGBTIQ+ refugees can’t go away behind – in lots of instances it follows them throughout borders as they proceed to face boundaries to discovering a secure place to dwell, a job, and even seeing a physician”, Mr. Grandi continued.
UNCHR has redoubled its dedication to defending the autonomy, company, and rights of all forcibly displaced and stateless LGBTIQ+ individuals.
Celebrated by everybody in society
Tackling these points doesn’t simply require modifications in legal guidelines and insurance policies – it additionally requires better acceptance, help, and celebration of LGBTIQ+ individuals by everybody in society, together with throughout the household.
Mr. Grandi added that everybody has a accountability to counter homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia and “understand a world the place all LGBTIQ+ individuals don’t have to flee and may dwell — at house — in security, dignity and with delight”.
With that in thoughts, the UN Human Rights Workplace launched a brand new UN Free & Equal thematic marketing campaign celebrating various households that settle for and help their members to thrive, regardless of who they’re, or whom they love.
The marketing campaign calls on every one among us to face up for the human rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals and for inclusive, supportive households, in all their variety.
