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Latvia-US State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Other Societal Abuses and Discrimination<br><br> In contrast with 2006, there were no reports of societal violence or discrimination against homosexuals; however, the population at large had little tolerance for homosexuality. On December 10, Roman Catholic Cardinal Janis Pujats delivered a speech criticizing homosexuality, in what some observers described as a call for gays to be banned from holding political office.
(PDF - 97 Kb) Document Date: 1 Jan 2008 (Downloads: 437)
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| 3522. |
Lebanon-US State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Other Societal Abuses and Discrimination<br><br> Discrimination against homosexuals persisted during the year. The law prohibits what is termed unnatural sexual intercourse, which is punishable by up to one year in prison. The law was sometimes applied to homosexuals. There are no discriminatory laws against persons with HIV/AIDS.
(PDF - 93 Kb) Document Date: 1 Jan 2008 (Downloads: 435)
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| 3523. |
Lithuania-US State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Other Societal Abuses and Discrimination<br><br> Local human rights organizations and members of the homosexual community reported that physical abuse on the street, discrimination, and persistent social exclusion of homosexuals were problems. On September 11, the ECHR ruled that the government violated the rights of a transexual woman who had appealed to the Ministry of Health for permission for a sex change operation, as recommended by her doctors. The ministry deferred acting on the doctors' recommendation on the grounds that the parliament had not approved a law on sex change. The court ordered Lithuania to pay compensation of $7,000 (5,000 euros), and Lithuania is obligated to pass a law on sex change within three months. If parliament does not pass a law within three months, the court obliged the country to pay $68,000 (40,000 euros) to the plaintiff, the approximate cost of a sex change operation in Western Europe. In December the government appealed the decision and requested the court review this case again.
(PDF - 106 Kb) Document Date: 1 Jan 2008 (Downloads: 319)
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| 3524. |
Macedonia-State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Other Societal Abuses and Discrimination<br><br> A local NGO representing the rights of homosexuals reported incidents of societal prejudice against homosexuals, including harassment or discrimination by employers and state officials. The Macedonian Association for Free Sexual Orientation faced bureaucratic obstacles in organizing activities. The press carried homophobic articles. The number of persons with HIV/AIDS was extremely low, and there were no reports of societal discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS.
(PDF - 95 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 414)
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| 3525. |
Malawi-State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Other Societal Abuses and Discrimination<br><br> Societal violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and against persons with HIV/AIDs occurred but there were no government statistics on the extent of the problem. The National AIDS Commission stated that discrimination was a problem in both the public and private sector but believed the problem was decreasing due to HIV awareness campaigns.
Homosexuality is illegal, although there were no prosecutions for homosexuality during the year. Societal discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS was widespread and inhibited access to treatment; many individuals preferred to keep silent about their health rather than seek help and risk being ostracized, but campaigns by the government and NGOs to combat the stigma were having some success. During July the Ministry of Health sent 2,177 counselors to 1,367 sites to conduct HIV Testing and Counseling Week; 186,631 persons voluntarily came for testing, exceeding the ministry target by over 50,000 persons.
(PDF - 98 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 376)
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| 3526. |
Malaysia-State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Other Societal Abuses and Discrimination<br><br> Although there are no laws that prohibit homosexuality, laws against sodomy and "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" exist and were enforced. Religious and cultural taboos against homosexuality were widespread. The government's response to HIV/AIDS was generally nondiscriminatory, although stigmatization of AIDS sufferers was common.
(PDF - 94 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 370)
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| 3527. |
Maldives-State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Other Societal Abuses and Discrimination<br><br> The law prohibits homosexuality, and citizens did not generally accept homosexuality. The punishment for men includes banishment for nine months to one year or whipping 10 to 30 times. For women, the punishment is house arrest for nine months to one year. There were no reports of official or societal discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS.
(PDF - 94 Kb) Document Date: 1 Jan 2008 (Downloads: 487)
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| 3528. |
Mali-State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Other Social Abuses and Discrimination<br><br> Societal discrimination based on sexual orientation and persons with HIV/AIDS occurred.
(PDF - 92 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 339)
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| 3529. |
Men arrested for homosexual conduct in Iran- Rex Wockner International News # 728- 03/07/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
The arrest of more than 30 men attending a house party in Esfahán, Iran,
signals renewed efforts by Iranian authorities to enforce morality
codes, Human Rights Watch said March 28.<br><br>
Sources said the raid took place Feb. 28-29 and that the men have been
jailed since without access to lawyers and without being charged with a
crime.
(PDF - 19 Kb) Document Date: 4 Apr 2008 (Downloads: 348)
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| 3530. |
Cambodia - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Trafficking victims, especially those trafficked for sexual exploitation, faced the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. In some cases victims were detained and physically and mentally abused by traffickers, brothel owners, and clients.
<br>
Other Societal Abuses and Discrimination
Societal discrimination against those infected with HIV/AIDS remained a problem in rural areas; however, discrimination was moderated by HIV/AIDS awareness programs. There was no official discrimination against those infected with HIV/AIDS. There were no reported cases of sexual orientation discrimination in employment, housing, statelessness, or access to education or health care. However, homosexuality was typically treated with fear and suspicion, and there were few support groups based on sexual orientation where such cases could have been reported.
(PDF - 146 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 461)
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| 3531. |
Dominican Republic - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Persons with HIV/AIDS, particularly women, faced discrimination in the workplace and elsewhere. An estimated 80,000 to 222,000 persons in the country were infected with the disease. According to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, workers in many industries faced obligatory HIV testing in the workplace or when seeking medical care or medical insurance. Workers or patients found to have the disease could be fired from their jobs or denied adequate health care.
(PDF - 152 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 420)
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| 3532. |
Gabon - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
There was considerable discrimination against women and persons with HIV/AIDS. One local NGO worked closely with the Minister of Health to combat both the associated stigma and the spread of the disease. The same organization also worked to combat the stigma associated with homosexuality but did not receive any assistance from the government for these activities.
(PDF - 130 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 421)
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| 3533. |
Gambia - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
There were no discriminatory laws based on sexual orientation; however, there was societal discrimination based on sexual orientation, which remained a social taboo. In an October 13 speech to commemorate the end of Ramadan, the president condemned homosexuality as un?Islamic.
(PDF - 150 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 305)
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| 3534. |
Georgia - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
. NGOs reported that societal stigma resulted in individuals avoiding testing or obtaining treatment for fear of discrimination. Some health care providers, particularly dentists, often refused to provide services to HIV-positive persons. Individuals often concealed their HIV-positive status from employers for fear of losing their jobs. The Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted mandatory HIV testing on all job applicants in 2006.
(PDF - 150 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 358)
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| 3535. |
Grenada - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2007-03/11/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
The law criminalizes consensual homosexual relations, providing penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment. Society generally frowned upon homosexuality, and many churches condemned it. There was no perceptible discrimination against those with HIV/AIDS, partly because the disease was widespread in the general population, including women infected by partners engaging in sex with men and boys.
(PDF - 148 Kb) Document Date: 11 Mar 2008 (Downloads: 457)
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| 3536. |
Senador Benedetti recibe apoyo de Human Rights Watch en su proyecto sobre derechos de gays- Senator Benedetti receives Human Rights Watch support for his gay rights project- www.cmi.com.co 04/03/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
El Senador Armando Benedetti recibió un importante apoyo de Boris Dittrich, Director de defensa de Human Rights Watch, en su iniciativa que hace curso en el Congreso sobre los derechos de gays y lesbianas en el país.<br><br>
Para el líder del organismo internacional es importante reafirmar la necesidad de que el Estado aplique el Derecho Internacional en Colombia, en materia de derechos de gays y lesbianas. Particularmente, la normatividad que se encuentra compilada en los llamados principios de Yogyakarta.<br><br>
Senator Armando Benedetti received important support from Boris Dittrich, Director of the Defense of Human Rights Watch, in his initiative which is going through Congress regarding the rights of gays and lesbians in the country.<br><br>
It is important for the leader of the international organization to reaffirm the necessity that the State apply the International Right in Colombia, in the matter of gay and lesbian rights. Especially the regulations which are found in the so-called Principles of Yogyakarta.
(PDF - 1,446 Kb) Document Date: 3 Apr 2008 (Downloads: 358)
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| 3537. |
Bahrain is trying to put a ?clamp? on Gays with immigration checks! Shariah Laws at Work!- By MOHAMMED AL A?ALI http://shariahfinancewatch.wordpress.com 02/24/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
A NATIONWIDE crackdown on homosexuals could be launched in Bahrain, including tougher immigration checks to stop foreign gays entering the country. It would include a study to determine how widespread homosexuality is in Bahrain.
Parliament?s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee has already backed the proposal, which would force the government to carry out the study.
(PDF - 67 Kb) Document Date: 24 Feb 2008 (Downloads: 431)
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| 3538. |
Colombia: Extrema Crueldad- Extreme Cruelty- www.colombiadiversa.org- /4/03/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
Durante los meses de febrero y marzo de 2008 se ha presentado en el país una serie de asesinatos de travestis y de gays, que incluso presentan señales de extrema crueldad. Tal fue el caso, por ejemplo, de un gay que fue descuartizado y escondido en una bolsa de basura en el interior del baúl de su propio carro, a mediados de febrero.<br><br>
A pesar de la evidente saña de muchos de estos asesinatos, con frecuencia las autoridades correspondientes a las investigaciones se han apresurado a calificar como "crimen pasional", "asesinato por hurto" y demás rótulos que ignoran las señales e indicios que gritan "homofobia" o que indican, de alguna manera, la orientación sexual de la víctima como causa de la violencia.<br><br>
During the months of February and March of 2008, there have been a series of murders of transvestites and gays, which even show signs of extreme cruelty. Such was the case, for example, of a gay who was carved up and hidden in a garbage bag on the inside of the trunk of his own car, around the middle of February. In spite of the obvious viciousness of many of these murders, frequently the authorities involved in the investigations have rushed to describe them as "crimes of passion," "murder for theft" and other titles which ignore the signs that shout out "homophobia" or which indicate, in some way, the sexual orientation of the victim as the cause of the violence.
(PDF - 107 Kb) Document Date: 3 Apr 2008 (Downloads: 380)
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| 3539. |
Crackdown on gays proposed in Bahrain- PinkNews.Co.UK staff writter- 02/14/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
MPs in the Gulf state of Bahrain are calling for a range of measures to be taken against gay people in the country, including deporting foreigners suspected of being gay.
(PDF - 221 Kb) Document Date: 14 Feb 2008 (Downloads: 385)
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| 3540. |
Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Russia (2007) - 01/08/08 (Sexual Minorities & HIV Status)
The Russian LGBT network supported by the Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG) has initiated monitoring of
discrimination against sexual and gender minorities in Russia. Below there is a chapter from the MHG
annual report based on the results of this monitoring in 2007. <br> <br>
1. Social and Political Factors Contributing to Discrimination of Sexual and Gender
Minorities. <br>
2. Arbitrariness and Inaction of Law Enforcement Bodies. <br>
3. Violation of the Right to Fair Trial. <br>
4. Violation of the Rights to Freedom of Opinion and Self-Expression. <br>
5. Interference in Private Life and Discrimination on Labour Market and at Work-place. <br>
6. Limitation of the Right to the Best Possible Health. <br>
7. Limitation of the Right to Gender Identity. <br>
8. Violation of the Right to Peaceful Demonstrations and Picketing. <br>
9. Violation of Right to Establish Non-Governmental Organisations and to Defend Human Rights. <br>
(PDF - 148 Kb) Document Date: 8 Jan 2008 (Downloads: 464)
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