LGBTI-rights

To:

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe Norwegian Ministry of Children and EqualityThe Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services

Discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons are hindrances to their equal participation in society, both internationally and in Norway. SAIH believes that the Norwegian government has to contribute towards the fight of all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation.It is a criminal offence for men to have sex with other men in over eighty countries in the world. This is a structural discrimination based on legal standards set by former colonial powers and is reflected by homophobic sentiments in the authorities and general population. Although homosexuality in Norway has not been a criminal offence since 1972, prejudices still persist in the Norwegian society. In December 2008, Norway took part in the promotion of LGBTI - people’s rights in the United Nations. The Norwegian government has taken an active stand for the support of LGBTI-rights internationally, both through different political channels, and in their development co-operations. The Ministry of Children and Equality’s action plan called “Better life quality for lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender persons 2009-2012[1]” states that “The government has committed itself to a development policy that contributes to combating all forms of discrimination and stigmatization of people on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity[2]”.In 2009, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) launched guidelines for the Norwegian embassies’ work on LGBTI, however very few embassies are implementing the guidelines. Internationally a set of guidelines has been developed, the Yogyakarta principles, for how to apply human rights in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity (http://www.yogyakartaprinciples.org/). This is a tool for holding authorities accountable to both national laws and international human rights. The Norwegian authorities should increase the pressure on countries which discriminates against LGBTI-people, and to push for developing and renewing knowledge on gender and sexuality. Students and Academics have a central role to play in this effort. SAIH demands that the Norwegian government:

- Actively promote and follow-up on implementation of the LGBTI guidelines at the embassies

- Continue to pressurize countries where homosexuality is considered a criminal offense as this is a violation of basic human rights

- Follow up the Yogyakarta-principles, both in Norway and internationally

[1] Our translation. Original title: Bedre livskvalitet for lesbiske, homophile, bifile og transpersoner 2009-2012”.

[2] Our translation.