SASOD meets diplomats on LGBT concerns

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Dis-crimination (SASOD) recently engaged members of the diplomatic community at a roundtable discussion on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issues in Guyana.

The meeting, which was hosted last Thursday at the US Embassy by Charge’ d’Affaires Bryan Hunt, focused on the SASOD report ‘On Devil’s Island: A UPR Submission on LGBT Human Rights in Guyana,’ the group said in a press statement.

The report was submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council in June, ahead of Guyana’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which is due in early 2015, while the meeting was organised to facilitate engagement ahead of Guyana’s UPR pre-session, which is set for December 4 in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to SASOD, in his opening remarks Hunt welcomed the representatives of the diplomatic community and emphasised that the gathering is to enable them to submit accurate, updated information on LGBT rights ahead of Guyana’s UPR.

SASOD Advocacy and Communications Officer Schemel Patrick later said that the UPR “is of paramount importance because it provides an opportunity for countries to declare what actions they have taken to improve human rights situations and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. The UPR assesses the human rights records of UN member states in an effort to address human rights violations wherever they occur.”

Participants at the meeting, which was held last Thursday. (SASOD/Ulelli Verbeke photo)
Participants at the meeting, which was held last Thursday. (SASOD/Ulelli Verbeke photo)

SASOD Managing Director Joel Simpson highlighted “the punitive laws which perpetuate targeted violence and wanton discrimination against LGBT people as they are socially and sporadically enforced by police and magistrates.” Simpson also addressed the violations of civil and political rights of LGBT people in Guyana, specifically focusing on the rights to life, liberty and personal security; right to equality; the right to privacy; freedom of expression and restrictions against hate speech; as well as SASOD’s recommendations to address these issues.

Simpson also reiterated SASOD’s call for the removal of Minister and Member of Parliament Juan Edghill, who the report cites as “flagrantly inciting hatred and intolerance in the public sphere in direct contravention of the Guyana Constitution.” Edghill made a number of controversial remarks when he was interviewed on local radio programme “Hard Talk” on June 15.

Meanwhile, SASOD’s Social Change Coordinator Chelauna Providence presented on how homophobic and transphobic discrimination affects LGBT Guyanese in their enjoyment of social and economic rights. She focused on basic rights such as the rights to work and housing, the right to health and the right to education. Providence referred to the recent Education Bill that was brought to Parliament in June and its draft non-discrimination clause, which did not include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds.

“Government has so far squandered what would have been a good opportunity to outlaw homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools. They missed a golden opportunity to address issues which are plaguing many Guyanese children and inhibiting their abilities to access education. Anti-LGBT bullying is happening in schools and it’s not being addressed,” she said. Providence urged the diplomatic representatives to familiarize themselves with the mechanisms that exist to promote and protect fundamental human rights in Guyana by engaging civil society organisations, government and the populace.

She also highlighted the abuses of the rights and freedoms, particularly of women, children and LGBT people across the country, resulting in some of the highest rates and earliest reports of child sexual abuse, skyrocketing suicide rates and continued gaps in access to health services, particularly for key affected populations, especially LGBT persons.

Providence also encouraged the representatives to share this information when they dialogued with their institutions and colleagues whose countries sit on the UN Human Rights Council.

“We especially encourage you to share with your capitals the human rights situation in Guyana as it relates to LGBT persons,” she stressed.

During the interactive sessions after the meeting, several diplomatic representatives commended SASOD on its work, keeping these issues prominent on the national agenda, and reiterated their commitment to continuing their support of the work to address LGBT issues. “Some issues raised included the need for an independent Human Rights Commission in Guyana; one which is free from political interference, and the need to invest in claiming legal rights for LGBT Guyanese,” the press release said.

 

In his closing remarks, the US Embassy’s Political and Economic Affairs Chief James Bjorkman thanked SASOD for its comprehensive report and presentations and encouraged his colleagues in the room to have meaningful discussions with their headquarters and other missions about LGBT issues in Guyana as its review comes up in early 2015 before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.