R-Rights Call on the Phil Mission to Geneva

The Philippines’ has one of the most vibrant Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) advocacy movements in Asia. Filipino LGBT rights activists are also known to be the most vigilant and progressive human rights defenders in the country. And there is a reason for all this hard work - Filipino LGBTs still suffer numerous instances of discrimination and violence in their daily lives. Homophobia and gender stereotyping borne of religious prejudice and a patriarchal society have allowed injustices against sexual minorities to be propagated. Children with homosexual tendencies are subjected by their own parents to corporal punishment that already constitute child abuse, LGBT youth are disciplined or expelled by officials of private schools run by religious denominations, educated and skilled LGBTs are unable to get employment or obtain a as source of livelihood to sustain themselves and their families. Of late, instances of bullying of LGBT youth by peers and school officials have increased, and documented killings of LGBTs have shown a shocking number of attacks and deaths. And yet, the Anti-discrimination bill being proposed in Congress has continued to languish.

On March 7, 2012, the United Nations Human Rights Council will have a special panel on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). This is both a ground-breaking and monumental event for LGBTs around the world, especially for those risking their lives everyday. But since the Philippine Government has yet to adopt a clear human rights framework that is inclusive of sexual minorities and explicitly addresses human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), we cannot expect a statement from the Philippine Mission to Geneva. Such representation by the Philippines can be a big disappointment for the whole Filipino LGBT Community who know all too well the discrimination and violence one can be subjected to, including the risk of being killed in a hate crime.

Rainbow Rights Project hopes for a more supportive position from the Philippine diplomatic missions to participate in UN panels on special human rights concerns of LGBTs. R-Rights strongly enjoins the Philippine Government to finally have a national policy for protecting the rights of Filipino LGBTs and to pass appropriate legislations that will address our unique concerns. In fact, with the Philippines’ reputation of abiding by international human rights standards and complying with our obligations under human rights conventions, adopting such a national policy tackling sexual orientation and gender identity would not be contrary to any international human rights principle or our Constitution. Rainbow Rights only asks that the Philippine Government finally acknowledges the existence of the Filipino LGBT Community and that as sexual minorities, they have human rights entitled to State protection.

During his campaign for the Presidency, PNoy was one of the candidates to openly declare that LGBTs have human rights too and should not be discriminated against. With President Aquino’s ascension to the country’s highest leadership, Rainbow Rights now calls on this promise to be fulfilled through all branches of government.