Panel: "Freedom of expression as a path to ending structural discrimination in the United States".
December 7, 2023.
Snapshot of the situation of the rights of LGBTI persons in the region
Progress
🇧🇷 Brazil: August 23. The Supreme Federal Court (STF) of Brazil equated crimes against LGBTI persons to racial offenses.
🇧🇸 The Bahamas: December 7. Prime Minister Philip Davis calls for a thorough investigation into potential cases of bias-related violence and condemns an act of violence against a trans woman.
🇨🇱 Chile: September 7.President Gabriel Boric publicly acknowledged international responsibility for the lesbophobia suffered by teacher Sandra Pavez in 2007. This recognition is part of the judgment of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued in February 2022.
🇨🇴 Colombia: September27. The JEP (Special Jurisdiction for Peace) announced the opening of macro case 11, which will investigate gender-based violence, including sexual and reproductive violence, and crimes committed due to prejudice.
🇲🇽 Mexico: September 17. The Second Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation ruled as unconstitutional the conditioning of the right to a widower's pension based on the sexual orientation, sex, or gender of individuals.
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic: September 1. The Attorney General of the Republic issued an instruction on the handling of cases involving vulnerable populations, such as the appropriate treatment of LGBTQ persons in judicial procedures.
🇺🇾 Uruguay. September 1. During the month of diversity, the Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) promotes the mental health of LGBTI individuals.
Challenges
The human rights situation of trans persons in the States of the region is a constant challenge.
Trans persons continue to face significant hurdles in their pursuit of equality and recognition despite advances in some countries. One of the major obstacles is the persistent discrimination and violence manifested in attacks, hate crimes, and a lack of access to basic services. Respect for gender identity is essential to guarantee access to rights and to build more inclusive societies.
Political violence against trans women, lesbians, and persons of diverse sexual orientations.
Throughout the year, various cases of political violence and stigmatizing discourses against sexually and gender-diverse women with political leadership roles have been observed across the region. These attacks aim to obstruct their performance of duties and their work as advocates.
The political participation of women, gender and sexual minorities, ethnic-racial minorities, and other historically excluded persons is essential for the exercise of human rights and democracy.
Lack of visibility and public policies to protect intersex children.
Intersex persons, especially children, continue to face challenges related to medical violence. The absence of specific public policies addressing the needs and rights of intersex people has resulted in an alarming lack of protection. It is important to develop policies that safeguard them from medical violence and ensure a respectful and prejudice-free environment. These policies should acknowledge and respect bodily autonomy, informed consent, and gender identity, and guarantee comprehensive healthcare.
Activities
Country visits
The Rapporteur, Commissioner Roberta Clarke, conducted a promotional visit to Brazil from September 18 to 22, meeting with state authorities, LGBTI activists, and advocates.
The LGBTI Rapporteurship participated in a promotional visit to Canada. The delegation was led by former President and former Commissioner Margarette May Macaulay.
The Office of the Rapporteur participated in several meetings with civil society organizations and human rights defenders. If you would like to request a meeting or training session with us, send an e-mail to: [email protected]
The information presented in this newsletter corresponds to the period from August 1 to December 31, 2023.
The Rapporteurship will continue to monitor the human rights situation of LGBTI persons in the region.
