WASHINGTON, CMC – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has joined with organizations within the United Nations in urging countries, including those in the Caribbean, to redouble their efforts to end systemic discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
In a joint statement Friday marking “The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), the IACHR, together with a group of Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts, and Working Groups of the United Nations, said this year’s 20th anniversary is an opportunity to welcome the progress and draw attention to the violence and discrimination suffered by people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“We urge States to uphold the inherent dignity of all people, without distinction, by addressing the underlying causes of discrimination and violence.
“Compared to the benchmark of “No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all,” it is also a reminder of how much work still needs to be done by all stakeholders, including businesses, to ensure the end of violence and discrimination directed against all people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
In the statement, they noted that on December 10, 2023, the world celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“The declaration’s founding promise, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” has been a beacon of hope and a rallying cry for those experiencing violence, discrimination and inequality worldwide.”
They said the theme of this year’s IDAHOBIT celebration: “No one will be left behind: equality, freedom, and justice for all,” evokes this fundamental principle of equality and also alludes to the central and transformative promise of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its goals for sustainable development, namely: “Leave no one behind.”
“May 17 is a day to celebrate the important progress made towards equality worldwide, such as expanded legal gender recognition, decriminalization of consensual same-sex conduct, and partnership recognition. This day is also a time to reflect and redouble efforts to end violence, discrimination, and hate speech based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
But the groups said, “Unfortunately, systemic discrimination and the threat or direct experience of violence remain a harsh reality for many people around the world, undermining the realization of their human rights, including the right to development, and LGBT people face increased risks of being killed arbitrarily, even through state-sanctioned arbitrary executions in some countries.
“Particularly concerning is the proliferation of laws and policies restricting fundamental freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, often accompanied by hostile rhetoric arising from intolerance and bigotry.
“Restrictions on the public expression of identity, especially in a context of reduced civic space, contribute to an environment in which violence and discrimination occur with impunity. This is compounded by the ongoing criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct in more than 60 UN member states.”
The groups say that people who are socially and economically marginalized, including based on sexual orientation and gender identity, are more likely to experience specific vulnerabilities arising from homelessness, risks of poverty, risks of exposure to pollution, environmental degradation, climate impacts, and toxic substances, and related structural consequences. Impacts.
“Of particular concern are people who face other forms of discrimination, such as older people, people with disabilities, people of African descent, internally displaced persons, minorities, indigenous people, migrants, refugees and people in armed conflict.”
They said the day is now celebrated in more than 130 countries and is officially recognized by several States and international institutions. Reflecting on the progress of the last two decades is undoubtedly cause for celebration.
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