Posts Tagged ‘yogyakarta principles’

An Open Letter to Legislators and to those Running for the 2010 National Elections

Friday, October 30th, 2009

29 October 2009

Dear Honorable Sir/Madam,

Liberatory and rainbow greetings to you!

I am Bruce Portugal Amoroto, a Filipino gay activist and current President-Coordinator of Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS), Vice-President of Gay and Lesbian Asia Pacific Sport Association (GLISA Asia Pacific), and Asia Pacific Director at Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA International). I am also a graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman and since 2000 I have been involved in the justice and human rights sector particularly on the equal human rights of lesbians, gays, and others.

I am writing to you because I and many other Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex (LGBTI) and other ’sexual and gender minorities’ (SGMs) in the country are interested in knowing your answer to our question. In your participation in the 2010 National Elections we would like to know sir/madam, what is your platform and programme of action regarding the equal human rights of Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex (LGBTI) and other ’sexual and gender minorities’ (SGMs) in the country?

According to the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity that was drafted, discussed, developed and refined by a body of international experts on human rights:
1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
2. All human rights are universal, interdependent, indivisible and interrelated.
3. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral to every person’s dignity and humanity and must not be the basis for discrimination or abuse.

Sexual orientation is understood to refer to each person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to, and intimate and sexual relations with individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender.

Gender identity, on the other hand, is understood to refer to each person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth, including the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance or function by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including dress, speech and mannerisms.

Since 1999, with the help of Akbayan Partylist, Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network – Philippines (LAGABLAB-Pilipinas) has pushed for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB), House Bill 956, in Congress. The ADB is a bill that aims to penalize acts and policies that discriminate on the basis of a person’s perceived or actual sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The ADB does not ask for special rights for Filipino LGBTIs instead it asks for the protection of the equality in dignity, rights and freedoms for the said sector and the provision of the same rights and freedoms accorded by the State to heterosexual and non-transgender/non-transsexual women and men.

In 2004 the Bill was approved at the Lower House but it failed to get a Senate counterpart and has since been pending in Congress due mainly to the strong opposition of the Catholic Church and other conservative and religious groups affiliated with legislators.

In the Philippines, oppression and violence against LGBTIs and other SGMs exists and it is, I believe, much worse compared to countries that criminalize homosexuality because the violence is silent with the discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity hidden and deeply embedded in society’s structure and system. There is only seeming tolerance for us Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs in fact in our families, homes, communities, churches, work and in society in general, we are still looked at as either immoral, sinful or mentally ill. Many LGBTIs who come out and are out continue to experience vilification, ridicule and bad jokes; others have experienced various levels of discrimination, abuse and violence. In a few Catholic schools there are still policies on masculinity and on same-sex relationships such that students who fail to abide by these rules get kicked out of the institution. There are also private companies, government offices, and establishments that have policies related to the hiring, promotion and firing of employees, the provision of certain benefits, service or product, or dress codes that are oppressive to Filipino LGBTIs. Most of all, we Filipino LGBTIs experience violence from our families and in our homes–there are those who get thrown out and get disowned by their parents for embracing their sexuality and their true selves and there are those who are beaten and physically abused or raped with the consent of their parents who believe that their sons and daughters will be cured and converted into becoming “real men” and “real women”.

In our Constitution there is a provision regarding the Separation of Church and State (Article II Section 6) and yet the Church still finds a way to meddle in public policy. There is also a provision regarding the respect and protection of the equality in dignity, rights and freedoms of each Filipino no matter what status or characteristic they have (Article II Section 11) and yet clearly, Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs are not treated equally in society. The Constitution is simply not enough to protect the equality of all Filipinos and in the end, only a law can make real and tangible the provisions on the equality in dignity, rights and freedoms of people.

Again, dear sir/madam, in view of the 2010 National Elections, may we know what your platform and programme of action is regarding the equal human rights of Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex (LGBTI) and other ’sexual and gender minorities’ (SGMs) in the country?

Thank you very much and we hope to hear your full and sincerest answer to our question.

Respectfully,

Bruce Portugal Amoroto
bruce.amoroto@gmail.com

Ang mga Prinsipyo ng Yogyakarta / The Yogyakarta Principles

Monday, September 21st, 2009
Yogyakarta Principles

Yogyakarta Principles

ANG MGA PRINSIPYO NG YOGYAKARTA

Ang mga Prinsipyo ng Yogyakarta patungkol sa Paglalapat ng mga Pandaigdigang Batas sa Karapatan ng Tao sa mga usapin ng Oryentasyong Sekswal at Kasariang Pagkakakilanlan

Isang Pangkalahatang-ideya ukol sa mga Prinsipyo ng Yogyakarta

http://www.yogyakartaprinciples.org/principles_en_overview.htm

Tinutugunan ng mga Prinsipyo ng Yogyakarta ang isang malawak na hanay ng mga pandaigdigang pamantayan ukol sa karapatan ng mga tao at ang mga aplikasyon o paglalapat nito sa mga isyu ng oryentasyong sekswal (sexual orientation) at kasariang pagkakakilanlan (gender identity).

Ang Pangkalahatang-ideyang ito ay nagbibigay ng isang maikling balangkas ng mga Prinsipyo, at ilang mga halimbawa ng kanilang aplikasyon. Mangyaring sumangguni sa mga Prinsipyo para sa isang detalyadong kamalayan sa mga teksto.

Paunang Salita: Sa Paunang Salita kinikilala ang mga paglabag sa mga karapatan ng tao batay sa oryentasyong sekswal at kasariang pagkakakilanlan, itinatatag ang mga kaugnay na legal na balangkas, at binibigyang-kahulugan ang ilang susing termino.

Mga Karapatan ukol sa Pandaigdigang Pagtamasa ng mga Karapatan ng Tao, Hindi-Paninino at Pagkakakilanlan sa harap ng Batas: Sa mga Prinsipyo bilang 1 hanggang 3 inilalatag ang mga prinsipyo patungkol sa pandaigdigang bisa ng mga karapatan ng tao at ang aplikasyon ng mga ito sa lahat ng tao nang walang paninino o diskriminasyon, at pati na rin ang karapatan ng lahat ng tao na makilala sa harap ng batas.
Halimbawa:
- Ang mga batas na ginagawang krimen ay pagkagustong sekswal sa kapwa-kasarian o homosexuality ay lumalabag sa pandaigdigang karapatan na hindi masino (desisyon ng UN Human Rights Committee).

Mga Karapatan ukol sa Pantao at Pansariling Seguridad: Tinutugunan ng mga Prinsipyo bilang 4 hanggang 11 ang mga pangunahing karapatan sa buhay, sa kalayaan mula sa karahasan at labis na pagpapahirap, sa privacy, sa pagkamit ng katarungan, at kalayaan mula sa di-makatwirang pagkakakulong.
Mga halimbawa:
- Ang parusang kamatayan ay patuloy na ipinapataw sa consensual na gawaing sekswal sa pagitan ng magkapwa-kasarian na nasa wastong gulang sa kabila ng UN resolution na nagbibigay diin na ang parusang kamatayan ay hindi maaaring ipataw para sa “mga sekswal na relasyon sa pagitan ng parehong husto sa gulang at parehong may pagpayag sa nasabing relasyon.”
- Labing-isang lalake ang inaresto sa isang gay bar at iniligay sa kustodiya ng batas sa loob ng isang taon. Ayon sa hatol ng UN Working Group sa di-makatwirang pagpigil, ang nangyaring pagpigil o detention sa mga tao ay isang paglabag sa mga pandaigdigang batas, at may pagkabahalang pinuna ng grupo na “ang isa sa mga bilanggo ay namatay bilang resulta ng kanyang di-makatarungang pagkakalagay sa detention”.

Mga Pang-ekonomiko, Panlipunan at Pangkultural na mga Karapatan: Inilalatag ng mga Prinsipyo bilang 12 hanggang 18 ang kahalagahan ng di-paninino kaugnay ng pagtatamasa ng mga pang-ekonomiko, panlipunan at pangkultural na mga karapatan, tulad pagkakaroon ng trabaho, tirahan, panlipunang seguridad, edukasyon at kalusugan.
Mga halimbawa:
- Ang mga lesbyana, tomboy at transgender na kababaihan ay higit na nalalagay sa panganib ng paninino/diskriminasyon, kawalan ng tirahan, at karahasan (ulat ng UN Special Rapporteur sa sapat na pabahay).
- Ang mga batang babae na nagpapakita ng pagtingin sa kapwa-kasarian ay nahaharap sa diskriminasyon at pagpapaalis sa kanila mula sa mga institusyong pang-edukasyon (ulat ng UN Special Rapporteur sa karapatan sa edukasyon).
- Ipinahayag ng UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ang kanyang pagkabahala ukol sa mga batas na “nagbabawal ng gender reassignment surgery o mga operasyon kaugnay ng pagpapalit ng ari at kasarian para sa mga transsexuals o yaong mga batas na nangangailangan sa mga taong intersex na sumailalim sa mga operasyong labag sa kanilang mga kagustuhan”.

Karapatan sa Pagpapahayag, Opinyon at Pakikipagsapi: Binibigyang-diin ng mga Prinsipyo bilang 19 hanggang 21 ang kahalagahan ng kalayaang makapagpahayag ng sarili, ng sariling pagkakakilanlan at ng sariling sekswalidad, ng walang panghihimasok ng Estado batay sa oryentasyong sekswal at kasariang pakakakilanlan, kabilang na rito ang mga karapatang lumahok ng mapayapa sa mga pampublikong pagtitipon at mga kaganapan at ang pakikisapi sa iba bilang bahagi ng isang komunidad.
Mga halimbawa:
- Ang isang mapayapang pagtitipon upang itaguyod ang pagkakapantay-pantay sa usapin ng oryentasyong sekswal at kasariang pagkakakilanlan ay pinagbawalan ng mga awtoridad, at ang mga kalahok ay hinarass, tinakot at pinagbantaan ng kapulisan at mga nasyonalistang panatiko at extremist na sumisigaw ng mga slogan tulad ng “Let’s get the fags” (Puruhin natin ang mga bakla) at “Gagawin namin sa inyo ang ginawa ni Hitler sa mga Hudyo” (ulat ng UN Special Rapporteur ukol sa mga napapanahong porma ng rasismo, paninino batay sa lahi, xenophobia (pagkatakot sa ibang tao o kultura) at mga kaugnay na di-pagpaparaya).

Kalayaan sa Paggalaw at Pagkakaroon ng Asylum (pagpapakupkop sa ibang bayan sa kadahilanang pampulitikal): Itinatampok ng mga Prinsipyo bilang 22 at 23 ang mga karapatan ng tao na magpakupkop sa ibang bayan laban sa pag-uusig na ginagawa sa sariling bayan batay sa oryentasyong sekswal at kasariang pagkakakilanlan.
Halimbawa:
- Ang pagsasanggalang sa mga refugee ay dapat na ibinibigay sa mga taong nahaharap sa isang tiyak na pagpapahirap at pag-uusig na nakabatay sa oryentasyong sekswal (Patnubay ng United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).

Mga Karapatan na Lumahok sa Pangkultural at Pampamilyang Buhay: Tinutugunan ng mga Prinsipyo bilang 24 hanggag 26 ang mga karapatan ng tao na lumahok sa pampamilyang buhay, sa mga pampublikong usapin, at sa kultural na buhay ng kanilang komunidad, nang walang diskriminasyon batay sa oryentasyong sekswal o kasariang pagkakakilanlan.
Halimbawa:
- Pananagutan ng mga Estado na huwag manino sa pagitan ng mga relasyon ng magkaibang-kasarian at ng mag-kapwa kasarian sa pagbibigay-benepisyo tulad ng mga pensyon sa mga naiwan ng isang namatay (desisyon ng UN Human Rights Committee).

Mga Karapatan ng mga Tagapagtanggol ng mga Karapatan ng Tao: Kinikilala ng Prinsipyo bilang 27 ang karapatan na ipagtanggol at isulong ang mga karapatan ng tao nang walang diskriminasyon batay sa oryentasyong sekswal at kasariang pagkakakilanlan, at ang pananagutan ng mga Estado na tiyakin ang pagsasanggalang sa mga tagapagtanggol ng mga karapatan ng tao na gumagawa sa mga isyu ng oryentasyong sekswal at kasariang pagkakakilanlan.
Mga halimbawa:
- Ang mga tagapagtanggol ng mga karapatan ng tao na gumagawa sa mga isyu ng oryentasyong sekswal at kasariang pagkakakilanlan sa ilang mga bansa at rehiyon sa mundo “ay tinatakot at pinagbabantaan, nilolooban ang kanilang mga bahay at opisina, inaatake, pinahihirapan, sekswal na pinagsasamantalahan, pinahihirapan sa pamamagitan ng regular na pagbabanta sa kanilang buhay, at pinapatay. Ang isang malaking nakababahala rito ay ang halos walang pagseseryoso ng mga kinauukulan sa mga nasabing kaso.” (ulat ng Special Representative ng UN Secretary-General ukol sa mga tagapagtanggol ng karapatan ng mga tao).

Mga Karapatan ukol sa Pagkakaroon ng Remedyo at Pananagutan: Pinaninindigan ng mga Prinsipyo bilang 28 at 29 ang kahalagahan ng pagpapanagot sa mga lumalapastangan sa mga karapatan ng tao at ang pagtitiyak ng karampatang lunas  sa mga taong nahaharap sa paglapastangan ng kanilang mga karapatan.
Halimbawa:
- Ipinahayag ng UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ang pagkabahala tungkol sa “pagkakaligtas sa parusa sa mga krimen laban sa mga LGBT” at “ang pananagutan ng Estado na ibigay ang mabisang proteksyon.” Pinansin ng High Commissioner ang “pagsasantabi sa mga indibidwal na LGBT na magkaroon ng mga nasabing proteksyon bilang isang malinaw na paglabag sa pandaigdigang batas ukol sa karapatan ng tao pati na rin sa mga karaniwang pamantayan ng sangkatauhan na tumutukoy sa ating lahat.”

Mga Karagdagang Rekomendasyon: Inilalatag ng mga Prinsipyo ang karagdagang 16 na mga mungkahi sa mga pambansang institusyon sa karapatan ng tao, mga propesyonal na mga lupon, mga funders, NGO, ang High Commissioner for Human Rights, mga ahensiya ng UN, mga lupon ng mga treaty o kasunduan, Special Procedures ng United Nations, at iba pa.
Halimbawa:
- Bilang pangwakas, kinikilala ng mga Prinsipyo ang tungkulin ng isang hanay ng mga gumagawa para sa Karapatan ng Tao na itaguyod at ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng tao at isama ang mga pamantayang ito sa kanilang mga trabaho. Ang isang pinagsamang pahayag na inihatid sa UN Human Rights Council ng 54 Estado mula sa apat sa limang rehiyon ng UN noong ika-1 ng Disyembre taong 2006, halimbawa, ay nanghimok sa Human Rights Council na “bigyang-kaukulang atensyon ang mga paglabag sa karapatan ng tao batay sa oryentasyong sekswal at kasariang pagkakakilanlan” at pinupuri ang gawain ng civil society sa mga isyung ito, at nanawagan sa “lahat ng Special Procedure at mga lupon ng mga treaty o kasunduan na ipagpatuloy na maisama sa loob ng kanilang mga kaugnay na gawain ang pagsasaalang-alang sa mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao batay sa oryentasyong sekswal at kasariang pagkakakilanlan.” Tulad ng pagkilala ng pahayag na ito at sa paninindigan ng mga Prinsipyo ng Yogyakarta, ang mabisang pagtatanggol sa mga karapatan ng tao ay totoong tungkulin ng lahat.

Yogyakarta Principles

Yogyakarta Principles

YOGYAKARTA PRINCIPLES

Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

The Yogyakarta Principles – An Overview

http://www.yogyakartaprinciples.org/principles_en_overview.htm

The Yogyakarta Principles address a broad range of international human rights standards and their application to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

This Overview provides a short outline of the Principles, and some examples of their application. Please refer to the Principles themselves for a detailed awareness of the text.

Preamble: The Preamble acknowledges human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, establishes the relevant legal framework, and provides definitions of key terms.

Rights to Universal Enjoyment of Human Rights, Non-Discrimination and Recognition before the Law: Principles 1 to 3 set out the principles of the universality of human rights and their application to all persons without discrimination, as well as the right of all people to recognition before the law.

Example:

- Laws criminalising homosexuality violate the international right to non-discrimination (decision of the UN Human Rights Committee).

Rights to Human and Personal Security: Principles 4 to 11 address fundamental rights to life, freedom from violence and torture, privacy, access to justice and freedom from arbitrary detention.

Examples:

- The death penalty continues to be applied for consensual adult sexual activity between persons of the same sex, despite UN resolutions emphasizing that the death penalty may not be imposed for “sexual relations between consenting adults.”

- Eleven men were arrested in a gay bar and held in custody for over a year. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that the men were detained in violation of international law, noting with concern that “one of the prisoners died as a result of his arbitrary detention”.

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Principles 12 to 18 set out the importance of non-discrimination in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including employment, accommodation, social security, education and health.

Examples:

- Lesbian and transgender women are at increased risk of discrimination, homelessness and violence (report of UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing).

- Girls who display same-sex affection face discrimination and expulsion from educational institutions (report of UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education).

- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern about laws which “prohibit gender reassignment surgery for transsexuals or require intersex persons to undergo such surgery against their will”.

Right to Expression, Opinion and Association: Principles 19 to 21 emphasize the importance of the freedom to express oneself, one’s identity and one’s sexuality, without State interference based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including the rights to participate peaceably in public assemblies and events and otherwise associate in community with others.

Examples:

- A peaceful gathering to promote equality on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity was banned by authorities, and participants were harassed and intimidated by police and extremist nationalists shouting slogans such as “Let’s get the fags” and “We’ll do to you what Hitler did with the Jews” (report of the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance).

Freedom of Movement and Asylum: Principles 22 and 23 highlight the rights of persons to seek asylum from persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Example:

- Refugee protection should be accorded to persons facing a well-founded fear of persecution based on sexual orientation (Guidelines of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).

Rights of Participation in Cultural and Family Life: Principles 24 to Principles 26 address the rights of persons to participate in family life, public affairs, and the cultural life of their community, without discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Example:

- States have an obligation not to discriminate between different-sex and same-sex relationships in allocating partnership benefits such as survivors’ pensions (decision of the UN Human Rights Committee).

Rights of Human Rights Defenders: Principle 27 recognizes the right to defend and promote human rights without discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the obligation of States to ensure the protection of human rights defenders working in these areas.

Examples:

- Human rights defenders working on sexual orientation and gender identity issues in countries and regions around the world “have been threatened, had their houses and offices raided, they have been attacked, tortured, sexually abused, tormented by regular death threats and even killed. A major concern in this regard is an almost complete lack of seriousness with which such cases are treated by the concerned authorities.” (report of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders).

Rights to Redress and Accountability: Principles 28 and 29 affirm the importance of holding rights violators accountable, and ensuring appropriate redress for those who face rights violations.

Example:

- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern about “impunity for crimes of violence against LGBT persons” and “the responsibility of the State to extend effective protection.” The High Commissioner notes that “excluding LGBT individuals from these protections clearly violates international human rights law as well as the common standards of humanity that define us all.”

Additional Recommendations: The Principles set out 16 additional recommendations to national human rights institutions, professional bodies, funders, NGOs, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN agencies, treaty bodies, Special Procedures, and others.

Example:

- The Principles conclude by recognizing the responsibility of a range of actors to promote and protect human rights and to integrate these standards into their work. A joint statement delivered at the UN Human Rights Council by 54 States from four of the five UN regions on 1 December 2006, for example, urges the Human Rights Council to “pay due attention to human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity” and commends the work of civil society in this area, and calls upon “all Special Procedures and treaty bodies to continue to integrate consideration of human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity within their relevant mandates.” As this statement recognizes, and the Yogyakarta Principles affirm, effective human rights protection truly is the responsibility of all.

Preamble: The Preamble acknowledges human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, establishes the relevant legal framework, and provides definitions of key terms.
Rights to Universal Enjoyment of Human Rights, Non-Discrimination and Recognition before the Law:
Principles 1 to 3 set out the principles of the universality of human rights and their application to all persons without discrimination, as well as the right of all people to recognition before the law.
Example:
- Laws criminalising homosexuality violate the international right to non-discrimination (decision of the UN Human Rights Committee).
Rights to Human and Personal Security: Principles 4 to 11 address fundamental rights to life, freedom from violence and torture, privacy, access to justice and freedom from arbitrary detention.
Examples:
- The death penalty continues to be applied for consensual adult sexual activity between persons of the same sex, despite UN resolutions emphasizing that the death penalty may not be imposed for “sexual relations between consenting adults.”
- Eleven men were arrested in a gay bar and held in custody for over a year. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that the men were detained in violation of international law, noting with concern that “one of the prisoners died as a result of his arbitrary detention”.
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Principles 12 to 18 set out the importance of non-discrimination in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including employment, accommodation, social security, education and health.
Examples:
- Lesbian and transgender women are at increased risk of discrimination, homelessness and violence (report of UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing).
- Girls who display same-sex affection face discrimination and expulsion from educational institutions (report of UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education).
- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern about laws which “prohibit gender reassignment surgery for transsexuals or require intersex persons to undergo such surgery against their will”.
Right to Expression, Opinion and Association: Principles 19 to 21 emphasize the importance of the freedom to express oneself, one’s identity and one’s sexuality, without State interference based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including the rights to participate peaceably in public assemblies and events and otherwise associate in community with others.
Examples:
- A peaceful gathering to promote equality on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity was banned by authorities, and participants were harassed and intimidated by police and extremist nationalists shouting slogans such as “Let’s get the fags” and “We’ll do to you what Hitler did with the Jews” (report of the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance).
Freedom of Movement and Asylum: Principles 22 and 23 highlight the rights of persons to seek asylum from persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Example:
- Refugee protection should be accorded to persons facing a well-founded fear of persecution based on sexual orientation (Guidelines of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
Rights of Participation in Cultural and Family Life: Principles 24 to Principles 26 address the rights of persons to participate in family life, public affairs, and the cultural life of their community, without discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Example:
- States have an obligation not to discriminate between different-sex and same-sex relationships in allocating partnership benefits such as survivors’ pensions (decision of the UN Human Rights Committee).
Rights of Human Rights Defenders: Principle 27 recognizes the right to defend and promote human rights without discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the obligation of States to ensure the protection of human rights defenders working in these areas.
Examples:
- Human rights defenders working on sexual orientation and gender identity issues in countries and regions around the world “have been threatened, had their houses and offices raided, they have been attacked, tortured, sexually abused, tormented by regular death threats and even killed. A major concern in this regard is an almost complete lack of seriousness with which such cases are treated by the concerned authorities.” (report of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders).
Rights to Redress and Accountability: Principles 29 and 29 affirm the importance of holding rights violators accountable, and ensuring appropriate redress for those who face rights violations.
Example:
- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern about “impunity for crimes of violence against LGBT persons” and “the responsibility of the State to extend effective protection.” The High Commissioner notes that “excluding LGBT individuals from these protections clearly violates international human rights law as well as the common standards of humanity that define us all.”
Additional Recommendations: The Principles set out 16 additional recommendations to national human rights institutions, professional bodies, funders, NGOs, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN agencies, treaty bodies, Special Procedures, and others.
Example:
- The Principles conclude by recognizing the responsibility of a range of actors to promote and protect human rights and to integrate these standards into their work. A joint statement delivered at the UN Human Rights Council by 54 States from four of the five UN regions on 1 December 2006, for example, urges the Human Rights Council to “pay due attention to human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity” and commends the work of civil society in this area, and calls upon “all Special Procedures and treaty bodies to continue to integrate consideration of human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity within their relevant mandates.” As this statement recognizes, and the Yogyakarta Principles affirm, effective human rights protection truly is the responsibility of all.