A day to recognise the equality of sexual orientation

THE SA Human Rights Commission said the aim of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, observed yesterday, was to co-ordinate and raise awareness of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (Sogie) rights violations.

The SAHRC said yesterday commemorated the decision to remove homosexuality from the international classification of diseases of the World Health Organisation in 1990.

“The SAHRC observes the day and has taken massive strides in its work related to Sogie rights, as established through its constitutional mandate as set out in section 184 of the constitution, to promote, protect and monitor the observance of the rights as set out in the Bill of Rights… the commission said.

The commission said they would be participating and partnering with the Foundation for Human Rights and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in a workshop that would focus on the way in which government, civil society and LGBTIQ persons work together to realise and strengthen rights today at its head office in Braamfontein.

“The workshop will include discussions on the national task team, the national intervention strategy, the Ekurhuleni declaration on practical solutions on ending violence and discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, as well as intersex rights.

“The commission has previously participated in the African regional seminar on finding practical solutions to ending violence and discrimination, which took place from in March 2016, and was attended by over 200 participants from all over Africa. The regional seminar was also a collaborative effort of the SAHRC, the Department of Justice and the Foundation for Human Rights.”

Participants of the African regional seminar included partners from government from the Department of Justice, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation and the Department of Social Development, as well as national human rights institutions from across Africa, including from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda.

“The high level of hostility experienced by persons on the basis of their Sogie within Africa was brought into focus, with debates and discussions around the many laws enacted, adopted or inherited which criminalise same-sex unions, with an understanding that solutions need to be sought for human rights violations of LGBTIQ persons to human dignity, freedom of expression and association, as well as their right to love and their right to life.” – African News Agency (ANA)