UK encourages Guatemala to keep tackling discrimination against LGTB community
The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, observed on 17 May.
LGBT
It is an important day for remembering the victims of homophobic violence and discrimination, and for promoting equality for LGBT people across the world.
To mark this day, Andrew Tate, Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Guatemala, called on the authorities to continue to tackle discrimination against LGBT individuals and groups in Guatemala:
The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia provides an important opportunity to advocate equality and improvements to the quality of life for LGBT individuals and communities across the world.
The UK believes LGBT individuals are entitled to enjoy the full range of human rights and deserve the same protection as everyone else.
We continue to make the case for acceptance and integration internationally, pushing for a specific UN HRC resolution to further the case of LGBT rights in 2013.
We take this opportunity to congratulate the work of the Guatemalan Human Rights Ombudsman on this issue and to encourage COPREDEH to continue efforts to implement those conclusions reached in its 2011 guide on “Human rights of sexually diverse communities”.
Nevertheless, high levels of discrimination of LGBT individuals and communities continue to be documented in Guatemala. More needs to be done to tackle the ongoing issue of discrimination, harassment and violence against LGBT individuals here and to ensure adequate follow up and investigation of such incidences by the relevant authorities.
The ability of a society to recognise, support and celebrate its minorities is the mark of a civilised society.