UN | Ha Noi, 15 May 2014
The Viet Nam Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) movement organized a special event today to celebrate progress in Vietnam in reducing stigma and discrimination. In coordination with UN agencies in Viet Nam and the Sexual Rights Alliance (SRA), a group of Vietnamese NGOs, advocated for further action. The event was held in Ha Noi on the occasion of the 10th International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) which will be celebrated on 17 May.
Free expression
Although IDAHOT has been organized globally since 2004, the first IDAHOT observation in Viet Nam took place in 2011 with UN support. Since then it has drawn the attention of Vietnamese policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people. This year, “Free Expression” was selected as a key theme. During the event in Ha Noi, key stakeholders urged the Vietnamese Government to take more action. To underline the message of the event, actors from the National Youth Theater took the stage to express how stigma and discrimination affect young Vietnamese people.
Achievements and further action
On behalf of the LGBT movement, Luong The Huy spoke highlighted that “support, and particularly family support, is crucial to social change”. A video spotlighting their achievements in transforming public opinion on homosexuality was shown to demonstrate the national and international support they receive in fighting for their cause.
Ms. Shoko Ishikawa, UN Women Country Representative in Viet Nam, stressed that freedom of expression is a fundamental right, enshrined in international law. She praised the LGBT movement’s firm presence on the public agenda, their immense courage and their power for social transformation.
“The Government has made positive contributions by guaranteeing concepts of equality, freedom and non-discrimination in the revised Constitution and Viet Nam is also one of the few countries in the region not to criminalize homosexuality. Yet, in spite of progress, being LGBT, and expressing that freely in Viet Nam is still far from easy”, she said. She noted that, while the law no longer criminalizes homosexuality, it isn’t yet clear enough to ensure that the human rights of LGBT are fully protected. She called upon all policy makers and public officials to help apply the principles of international human rights law in all future legislative revisions. She also expressed her hope that the ongoing revision of the Law on Civil Status will acknowledge equal rights for same-sex couples as well as acknowledging transgender people in the modification of their gender identity.
National Youth Theater Dance Act
This view was shared by SRA representative, Pham Kim Ngoc, who said “positive steps have been taken, but we recommend the Government to take bigger steps”, adding transgender people should be allowed to change their sex and same-sex marriage should be recognized, while same-sex couples need to get the same rights as other couples.
Continued support
It is clear achievements have been made, however further work is needed on all fronts, including freedom of expression. The UN Women Country Representative Ms. Ishikawa stressed that the UN will continue to support the right to health, as well as the civil rights and leadership capacity of the LGBTI community.
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May 21, 2014
10th International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia: UN supports free expression and advocates for more action
by HR Defender • [Human Rights]
UN | Ha Noi, 15 May 2014
Free expression
Although IDAHOT has been organized globally since 2004, the first IDAHOT observation in Viet Nam took place in 2011 with UN support. Since then it has drawn the attention of Vietnamese policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people. This year, “Free Expression” was selected as a key theme. During the event in Ha Noi, key stakeholders urged the Vietnamese Government to take more action. To underline the message of the event, actors from the National Youth Theater took the stage to express how stigma and discrimination affect young Vietnamese people.
Achievements and further action
On behalf of the LGBT movement, Luong The Huy spoke highlighted that “support, and particularly family support, is crucial to social change”. A video spotlighting their achievements in transforming public opinion on homosexuality was shown to demonstrate the national and international support they receive in fighting for their cause.
Ms. Shoko Ishikawa, UN Women Country Representative in Viet Nam, stressed that freedom of expression is a fundamental right, enshrined in international law. She praised the LGBT movement’s firm presence on the public agenda, their immense courage and their power for social transformation.
“The Government has made positive contributions by guaranteeing concepts of equality, freedom and non-discrimination in the revised Constitution and Viet Nam is also one of the few countries in the region not to criminalize homosexuality. Yet, in spite of progress, being LGBT, and expressing that freely in Viet Nam is still far from easy”, she said. She noted that, while the law no longer criminalizes homosexuality, it isn’t yet clear enough to ensure that the human rights of LGBT are fully protected. She called upon all policy makers and public officials to help apply the principles of international human rights law in all future legislative revisions. She also expressed her hope that the ongoing revision of the Law on Civil Status will acknowledge equal rights for same-sex couples as well as acknowledging transgender people in the modification of their gender identity.
National Youth Theater Dance Act
This view was shared by SRA representative, Pham Kim Ngoc, who said “positive steps have been taken, but we recommend the Government to take bigger steps”, adding transgender people should be allowed to change their sex and same-sex marriage should be recognized, while same-sex couples need to get the same rights as other couples.
Continued support
It is clear achievements have been made, however further work is needed on all fronts, including freedom of expression. The UN Women Country Representative Ms. Ishikawa stressed that the UN will continue to support the right to health, as well as the civil rights and leadership capacity of the LGBTI community.