For International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Sunday 17 May 2015 GENEVA – Speaking ahead of the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, a group of United Nations and international human rights experts, including Maina Kiai, call for an end to discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people and children. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, a group of UN human rights experts, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe urge Governments worldwide to protect these young people and children from violence and discrimination, and to integrate their views on policies and laws that affect their rights. “Around the world, children and young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or intersex, or seen as such, still face stigma, discrimination and violence because of their perceived or actual sexual orientation and gender identity, or because their bodies differ from typical definitions of female or male. Violence and discrimination against LGBT and intersex children and young persons take place at home, in... Continue reading →
For International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO-T), Saturday 17 May 2014, a Joint Statement by UN human rights experts, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media GENEVA – Marking International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO-T), a group of international and regional human rights experts, including Maina Kiai, call on States to end discrimination and address violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals and those who advocate for their rights. In many parts of the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people face discrimination, stigmatization and acts of violence. Protecting and promoting the rights of LGBTI people to free expression, association, and peaceful assembly is crucial to end their discrimination and address the appalling human rights violations inflicted upon them. These are not only basic rights, but they are also essential in allowing individuals to claim other rights, in particular the rights to freedom from discrimination and equality before the law, and they can contribute to fostering public debate in society. We condemn acts of retaliation, intimidation, or harassment in any... Continue reading →
