#PERU: Calls to protect the rights of LGBTI people against hate crimes
In Lima, a protest was held to prevent the repeal of the article that criminalizes hate crimes. The United Nations representative for South America urged Congress to reconsider the decision. He emphasized that the State "must protect and respect the rights of everyone without discrimination, especially those who require greater protection, such as LGBTI people."
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In Lima, a protest was held to prevent the repeal of the article that criminalizes hate crimes. The United Nations representative for South America urged Congress to reconsider the decision. He emphasized that the State "must protect and respect the rights of everyone without discrimination, especially those who require greater protection, such as LGBTI people."
(LIMA) – Activists, organizations, political leaders, and LGBT individuals raised their voices in protest at the #YoApoyoDL1323 march yesterday in Lima's Plaza San Martín. This came a day after the Congressional Constitution Committee voted to eliminate the first article of Legislative Decree 1323. Yesterday, the representative for South America of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Congress to protect the rights of LGBTI people in Peru.
To understand the #YoApoyoDL1323 protest
The article aggravates homicide offenses when they are committed under “motives of intolerance or discrimination, such as origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic factors, parentage, age, disability, language, or ethnic and cultural identity.” The request for repeal still needs to be reviewed by the full Congress, which is why many activists felt it was the right time to exert public pressure.
[READ MORE: #PERU Recommendation to eliminate decree on hate crimes «]
"They are our rights, not privileges."
Around seven in the evening, about a hundred people from the LGBT community gathered around a giant rainbow flag, unfurled in the middle of the plaza. They chanted slogans against the Fujimorist congressmen Miguel Torres, Modesto Figueroa, Miguel Castro, Gilmer Trujillo, Úrsula Letona, Karina Beteta, Luis Galarreta, Edwin Vergara, Rosa María Bartra, and Lourdes Alcorta, who voted in favor of the repeal.
Yesterday, Plaza San Martín was packed with various political groups and citizens commemorating the 25th anniversary of Alberto Fujimori's self-coup, which took place on April 5, 1992. “Twenty-five years have passed. And it's still the same abusive Fujimorism that imposes its will on any positions different from its own,” Congressman Alberto de Belaunde (Peruvians for Change party) told Presentes. He also stated that Fuerza Popular does not want to “grant any rights to the LGBT population.”
“What Congress has just done is empower any human being to attack gay people, trans women, and trans men with total impunity. The slogans clearly state this,” trans activist Tyra Guicchetti Chavez told this publication. Guicchetti Chavez expressed her outrage, stating that the State should be protecting her and providing her with security, but it isn't. “It's a direct affront to the LGBT community. They're trying to make us believe they're more powerful than us, but that's not the case. They've tried to corner us 50,000 times and haven't succeeded. They won't succeed this time,” she said.
Tyra Guicchetti, activist.
"A hard blow for Peru and Latin America"
Several people carried signs with the faces of the aforementioned congressmen, as a way of highlighting the face of homophobia. “I felt completely outraged. Those who are supposed to legislate in favor of everyone are instead cutting rights for minorities. It has been a hard blow for the citizens, for Peru, and for all of Latin America,” said Pilar Rojas, an activist with Marriage Equality Peru.
The LGBT group began marching towards the Government Palace at approximately 7:30 PM, but were blocked by a police contingent. They repeatedly tried alternative routes to reach their destination, but were always prevented by the police.
"Being democrats means legislating for minorities and majorities."
“The State has an obligation to protect minorities. Majorities protect themselves. The Government understood this and that is why it issued this Legislative Decree; however, Congress eliminated this protection, and that is disastrous. Being democrats means legislating for both minorities and majorities. If that is not done, it is not democracy,” argued Congressman Carlos Bruce (Peruvians for Change party), who was also present at the march.
The representative for South America of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Amerigo Incalcaterra, expressed concern about the possibility of repealing Article 1 of Legislative Decree No. 1323. He stated that it would be a setback, and also a breach of international human rights commitments. Incalcaterra recalled that the decree's approval was a legislative advance in the region and urged the full Congress of the Republic to review the proposal.
“The rights of LGBTI people are human rights. But these individuals face discrimination, violence, stigma, and prejudice, with fundamental rights such as life, work, health, and education being violated. This requires special protection, as various human rights mechanisms have warned in the case of Peru,” said Incalcaterra. He added, “Evidence gathered by the Ombudsman's Office shows murders, intimidation, and acts of cruelty against LGBTI people in Peru, motivated by their sexual orientation and gender identity. In many cases, these acts go unpunished.” He also reiterated that it is the duty of the authorities to protect all people from violations of their rights.
The UN representative emphasized: “Legislative Decree No. 1323 is a response to the human rights situation in the country. It does not establish special rights or privileges, but rather is a response to citizen insecurity and aims to fulfill the State's obligation to protect and respect the rights of all people without discrimination, especially those who require greater protection, such as LGBTI individuals.”
For his part, Prime Minister Fernando Zavala also urged the full Congress to reconsider the decision voted on in the Congressional Constitution Committee.
[READ MORE: #PERU: Law against hate crimes and LGBTI discrimination approved]
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