Noticias

On this day, June 5, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) held its final session and adopted the "Declaration of Asuncion", where inequality is doomed and advocates a more balanced development. Moreover, the resolution on "Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity," which urges governments to work to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex violence and discrimination was passed. The resolution was sponsored by the Brazilian government itself that had the co sponsorship of other countries among which Uruguay and was favorably supported by various LGBTI activists of the Americas, including LGBT activists in Paraguay from SOMOSGAY and LESVOS.

In this regard, the Paraguayan Senate had approved a resolution urging the executive to not vote in favor of the Brazilian proposal. The response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced not to pass judgment for or against such resolution. From that moment, SOMOSGAY and LESVOS, local leaders, international organizations and LGBT activists of the Americas began to organize to express their rejection and to demand that President Horacio Cartes to vote affirmatively the OAS resolution. In turn, All Out, an international organization with over 2 million members worldwide, launched an international petition with over 7,000 signatures in the same direction. These signatures will be handed over to representatives of the Paraguayan state during the day, urging them to pledge their support to the defense and promotion of human rights for future decisions.

"In less than a week, thousands of members of All Out in the networks and to the local and international activists managed to change everything. Paraguay today voted the resolution, but two days ago, the national police repressed a demonstration in favor of equality, while the government said there was no homophobia in Paraguay and refused to sign, "said Paul Fracchia, Head of Campaigns in Spanish for All Out," This is a step forward, as the Paraguayan citizen now has a new tool to require the government to fulfill commitments to anyone being persecuted for who they are and loving who they love. "

The peak experienced during a peaceful protest, where activists from SOMOSGAY and LESVOS were injured was the product of a brutal crackdown by the National Police. Human rights organizations and LGBT activists around the world, including several who were special guests at such meeting, condemned the repression and expressed their solidarity with the victims.

Note that in this document a call is made on governments to remove barriers faced by LGBT people "on equal access to political participation and other areas of public life and prevent interference in their private life."

Indeed, apart from Paraguay, ten countries signed "with reservations." They are: St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guatemala, Belize, Ecuador, Guyana, Jamaica, Honduras, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Paraguay. Note that these footnotes page, in international law, do not affect the body and linking of the resolution.

"Despite the reservations in the support of Paraguay, this means a very important victory against homophobia and discrimination, which showed his worst side these days," said Simon Cazal, Executive Director of SOMOSGAY. "Paraguay will change and move towards a horizon of full equality in which no person can be discriminated again for their sexual orientation or gender identity," he concluded.

 

About All Out

In 77 countries, being gay is a crime; 10, can cost you your life. All Out mobilizes millions of people and their social networks to build a powerful global movement in defense of love and equality. Our mission is to build a world in which anyone losing his family, his freedom, safety or dignity because of who he is or who loves love.