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Summary: Semana.com, translated by CRIN
[6 June 2008] - The Organisation of American States (OAS) has recognised for the first time that homosexuals in the Americas are victims of discrimination and violence. The OAS passed a resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, which was presented by a delegation of activists from Brazil, and committed to placing the issue on its agenda. During the session, a 14 year old Colombian boy read a statement to ambassadors in which he spoke of the particular violence and discrimination against homosexual children and young people. “It is the first time that the OAS recognises that homosexuals exist and that their human rights are violated,” explained lawyer Germán Rincón Perfetti, from NGO Líderes en Acción (Leaders in Action) in Brazil. In the text approved by the General Assembly concern is expressed for “acts of violence and violations of human rights committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity." The resolution, which was signed by 34 countries, makes the Americas the second region in the world, after Europe, to recognise that homosexuals are victims of rejection and violence. This declaration, like any achievement of minority groups, was the result of a few who struggled and organised to secure appointments to speak with those who could help them. Twenty activists from 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean travelled to Medellín, Colombia, where the 38th session of the General Assembly was held. On 31 May they met with José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the OAS. The activists explained that homosexuals in the Americas were victims of murder; that they encountered obstacles in changing their name; some had died as a result of hate crimes; there are no public policies to help them overcome these problems; in Caribbean English speaking countries, relationships between same sex couples are criminalised and religious and social organisations abound which promote homophobia in the region. The issue will also be addressed next year in Washington when cases will be presented and experts will present on discrimination and homophobia in each country. It is hoped that this will lead to a report to the OAS General Assembly in 2009. Further information