SASOD takes “On Devil’s Island” Report to Guyana Human Rights Meeting in Geneva

Last Thursday, December 4, 2014 the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) presented its shadow report “On Devil’s Island: A UPR Submission on LGBT Rights in Guyana” at a Pre-Session to Guyana’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which was hosted in Geneva by the international non-governmental organization, UPR Info. The report focused on the situation of sexual rights in Guyana, with special attention focus to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in Guyana. SASOD’s Social Change Coordinator, Chelauna Providence, in her statement, highlighted discriminatory laws and practices that hinder the civil, political, economic and social rights of LGBT Guyanese.

Also presenting at the pre-session was Child Link’s Director, Omattie Madray, on the situation of children’s rights in Guyana, reiterating the calls to abolish corporal punishment. She posited that though the Government of Guyana noted several recommendations to repeal laws that criminalise same-sex intimacy and cross-dressing in the first UPR cycle, and agreed to host consultations on these issues, very little has been done in the past four years. 

Child Link’s Omattie Madray and SASOD’s Chelauna Providence in Geneva

SASOD’s statement also emphasized that the Guyana Constitution does not make provision for sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for discrimination, resulting in LGBT persons living in a repressive socio-cultural environment that limits their access to services. Providence pointed out that there have been at least five unsolved murder cases of transgender and homosexual persons in circumstances which suggest they were hate crimes between 2013 and 2014. She attributed this to high levels of homophobia and transphobia and hate speech in the public sphere, intended to incite ill-will against LGBT persons, such as the comments made by Government Minister Juan Edghill on iRadio’s “Hard Talk” on June 15 this year.

Despite the Government of Guyana’s acceptance of Argentina’s recommendation to adapt laws and mechanisms to combat discrimination against groups in vulnerable situations, it was cited that LGBT persons still face higher levels of unemployment and underemployment, and those who are employed have no legal protection from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity under the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997.

Providence’s statement also mentioned the so-called “Modern Education Bill” which was introduced to Parliament on June 20, 2014 which did not specify sexual orientation and gender identity in its proposed non-discrimination clause.  

SASOD proposed several recommendations to the missions represented for the Government of Guyana, including; recalling Juan Edgehill as a member of Parliament and removing him as a Government Minister, amending Article 149 of the Guyana Constitution to include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for discrimination, and reviewing the sex and sexuality theme in the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum to include objective information on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Representatives from Colombia and the Netherlands expressed particular concern about the situation of LGBT people in Guyana and the Government’s responsibility to protect and promote the human rights of all Guyanese, including LGBT citizens. A total of 22 missions with a diplomatic presence in Geneva attended the UPR Pre-Session on Guyana, including representatives from Latin America, West Africa, Europe and North America.

Guyana’s UPR will take place at end of January of 2015, where the United Nations’ Human Rights Council in Geneva will respond to the national report on human rights by the Government of Guyana and make recommendations for improving Guyana’s human rights situation. SASOD’s participation at the Pre-Session was supported by COC Netherlands and UPR Info.

Click here to read SASOD's UPR Pre-Session Statement presented by SASOD’s Social Change Coordinator, Chelauna Providence in Geneva.

SASOD engages Diplomatic Community on LGBT Issues

On Thursday, 13 November 2014, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) in collaboration with the United States Embassy engaged members of the diplomatic community at roundtable discussion of SASOD’ report titled “On Devil’s Island: A UPR Submission on LGBT Human Rights in Guyana.” The 11-page report was submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council on June 15 this year ahead of Guyana’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in early 2015.

                                                                                    

Bryan Hunt, Charge d' Affaires, US Embassy

Hosted by the Charge’ d’ Affaires of the US Embassy, Bryan Hunt, the diplomatic roundtable was organised to facilitate this engagement ahead of Guyana’s UPR pre-session on December 4, 2014, in Geneva. In his opening remarks, Mr Hunt welcomed the representatives of the diplomatic community and emphasized that this gathering is to enable them to submit accurate, updated information on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights ahead of Guyana’s UPR.

Robert Adelson, Public Affairs Officer, US Embassy

The roundtable was chaired by US Embassy Public Affairs Officer, Robert Adelson. Presenting the report on behalf of SASOD were Advocacy and Communications Officer, Schemel Patrick, Managing Director, Joel Simpson and Social Change Coordinator, Chelauna Providence.

Schemel Patrick, Advocacy and Communications Officer, SASOD

In her introduction, Schemel Patrick gave an overview of UPR and its significance. She outlined that the “Universal Period Review is of paramount importance because it provides an opportunity for countries to declare what actions they have taken to improve human rights situations and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. The UPR assesses the human rights records of UN member states in an effort to address human rights violations wherever they occur.”

Joel Simpson, Managing Director, SASOD

Mr Simpson presented on the legal framework highlighting especially the punitive laws which perpetuate targeted violence and wanton discrimination against LGBT people as they are socially and sporadically enforced by police and magistrates. Simpson also addressed in detail the violations of civil and political rights of LGBT people in Guyana, specifically focusing on the rights to life, liberty and personal security; right to equality; right to privacy; freedom of expression and restrictions against hate speech; as well as SASOD’s recommendations to address these issues. He reiterated SASOD’s call for the removal of Government Minister and Member of Parliament Juan Edghill who the report cites as “flagrantly inciting hatred and intolerance in the public sphere in direct contravention of the Guyana Constitution.” Edghill made headlines when he appeared on the local radio programme “Hard Talk” on June 15, 2014, spewing hate-filled remarks against LGBT people.

Chelauna Providence, Social Change Coordinator, SASOD

SASOD’s Social Change Coordinator Chelauna Providence presented on homophobic and transphobic discrimination affects LGBT Guyanese in their enjoyment of social and economic rights. She focused on basic rights such as the rights to work and housing, the right to health and the right to education. Providence addressed the recent Education Bill which was brought to Parliament in June this year and its draft non-discrimination clause which did not include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds. She stated that “Government has so far squandered what would have been a good opportunity to outlaw homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools. The missed a golden opportunity to address issues which are plaguing many Guyanese children and inhibiting their abilities to access education. Anti-LGBT bulling is happening in schools and it’s not being addressed.”

In closing, Providence urged the diplomatic representatives to familiarize themselves with the mechanisms that exist to promote and protect fundamental Human Rights in Guyana by engaging Civil Society organizations, government and the populace.  She highlighted the abuses of the rights and freedoms, particularly of women, children and LGBT people throughout the country, resulting in some of the highest rates and earliest reports of child sexual abuse, skyrocketing suicide rates and continued gaps in access health services, particularly for key affected populations, especially LGBT persons. Lastly, they were encouraged to share the information as they engaged in dialogue, among their institutions and other colleagues whose countries sit on the UN Human Rights Council. “We especially encourage you to share with your capitals the human rights situation in Guyana as it relates to LGBT persons,” she stressed.

After the presentations, there was an interactive discussion. Many diplomatic representatives commended SASOD on its work, keeping these issues prominent on the national agenda, and reiterated their commitment to continuing their support of the work to address LGBT issues. Some issues raised included the need for an independent Human Rights Commission in Guyana; one which is free from political interference, and the need to invest in claiming legal rights for LGBT Guyanese.

James Bjorkman, Political and Economic Affairs Chief, US Embassy

In his closing remarks, the US Embassy’s Political and Economic Affairs Chief, James Bjorkman, thanked SASOD for their comprehensive report and presentations and encouraged his colleagues in the room to have meaningful discussions with their headquarters and other missions about LGBT issues in Guyana as its review comes up in early 2015 before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.