On the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and
Transphobia, we join others in marking this year’s theme, ‘Breaking
the Silence’ We, the Diplomatic Missions of Albania, Argentina,
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal,...Request free trial
On the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia
and Transphobia, we join others in marking this year’s theme,
‘Breaking the Silence’
We, the Diplomatic Missions of Albania, Argentina, Australia,
Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North
Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States,
Uruguay, as well as the European Union Agency for Fundamental
Rights, the EU Delegation to the International Organisations in
Vienna, UN GLOBE Vienna and the Vienna School of International
Studies, welcome the 17th May as the International Day against
Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, as a celebration of
diversity and inclusion around the world.
In many countries, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and
Intersex (LGBTI) people continue to suffer bullying,
discrimination and violence, often with deadly consequences. In
70 countries, there are laws that criminalise private, consensual
sexual relations between adults of the same sex. We remain
alarmed at these severely retrograde and inhumane measures. It is
our belief that nobody should be discriminated against for who
they are or who they love. More tolerant and inclusive societies
benefit everyone.
We are committed to promoting and protecting the rights of
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people.
They must be accorded the same dignity, respect and rights as all
other citizens. We will continue to work through our Embassies
and through International Organisations, including, where
relevant, the UN, European Institutions, the OSCE, the
Organization of American States (OAS), Mercosur (Reunion de Altas
Autoridades sobre Derechos Humanos) and the Commonwealth, to
promote tolerance and non-discrimination against LGBTI people and
to address discriminatory laws, including those that criminalise
homosexuality.
We also wish to pay homage to the courageous advocacy efforts
carried out by human rights defenders, activists, journalists,
media workers and civil society organisations to raise awareness
about the issues affecting LGBTI persons and the violations of
their human rights that they may face, including in the context
of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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