International human rights organization Article 19 has said LGBTQI groups, transgender, and binary people continue to face plenty of stigmas in Bangladesh and remain alienated due to the lack of legal protection or cultural biases.
“In Bangladesh, just like our neighbours in South Asia, LGBTQI groups, transgender, and binary people face plenty of stigmas and are disenfranchised due to the lack of legal protection or cultural biases. According to the universal declaration of human rights, inherent dignity and rights which are equal and inalienable extend to all members of the human family,” Faruq Faisel, regional director of Article 19 Bangladesh and South Asia, said in a press statement ahead of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.
The day is observed on May 17 every year since 1990 commemorating the declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder by the World Health Organization.
“Thus, attacks on binary gender, their lack of protection and rights as citizens, and hate speech against them are a grave violation of fundamental human rights. Every citizen has the right to live a dignified life and be protected as such regardless of their sexual and gender orientation,” he added in the statement.
The day represents a major global annual landmark to draw the attention to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics, the statement said.
Article 19 also condemned all types of attacks, hateful speech, and discrimination against these groups and urged urges to extend protection of human rights to all.
“Human rights should extend to all, as per its characteristic of universality and inalienability, meaning they are inherent to us all, regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status and cannot be denied or taken away. Countries in South Asia have a long way to go to pave the way for equal rights and protection for all people and minorities.”
Faruq Faisel added: “Small changes and steps need to be taken to ensure that we are not leaving anyone behind and contributing to the suffrage of some while others are able to exercise their rights fully just because of identity differences.”
Moreover, people and their rights must be placed front and centre in the Covid-19 response and recovery. We must break the silence when it comes to the stigma and discrimination experienced by LGBTQI+ people, the UK-based rights group said.