Meeting discusses rights of LGBTI community

EVERY person, no matter the gender or sexual identity, deserves to be valued and respected by their government, a diplomat says.
Deputy head of the United States Mission to Papua New Guinea Bernard Link made remarks during a roundtable discussion last Wednesday with the LGBTI (lesbian gay bisexual transgender and Intersex) in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the declaration of the universal human rights day.
“The US government remains committed to promoting the human rights of LGBTI persons not only in Papua New Guinea but all over the world,” he said.
The discussion was jointly hosted by the Ambassador of France (an EU member state), Philippe Janvier-Kamiyama, European Union Delegation, Embassy of France, and United States Embassy.
“Around the world, LGBTI people are still victims of violence, discrimination and violations of their fundamental rights,” Janvier-Kamiyama said.
He said in 72 countries, homosexual relations were considered as offences or crimes, punishable by prison terms or even the death penalty in eight countries.
“France remains concerned about serious violations of LGBTI rights, including repression and torture in a number of countries, in particular with the return of a wave of moralisation” he said.
This was the second roundtable event which was a reflection on discussions that took place last year at the first roundtable, which was viewed positively as a safe space for the LGBTI community to openly share their experiences, both difficulties and triumphs.
The EU, France and the US are of the opinion that through continued and open dialogue with members of the LGBTI community, a better insight can be gained into how to raise understanding and awareness of the importance to promote and protect human rights with the ultimate objective to cooperate on progressing the rights of LGBTI persons in the country.
The occasion included the screening of three short films about the difficulties and achievements of members of the LGBTI community in different EU member- and EU accession candidate countries.
As 2018 celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the EU its member states and all like-minded nations around the world paid tribute to all those working to promote and protect human rights.