IDAHOT Day: Call for equality, respect and non-discrimination for LGBTI people

The rights of all people, including the LGBTI people, are guaranteed and protected in Article I of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.

This year’s United Nations theme ‘Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights’ is a reminder that no one should be left behind. Let’s join forces in advocating for a culture of deference, dignity and justice for all.

At the initiative of the EU delegation to the Philippines, Ambassadors from four continents gathered at the RCBC building to call for equality, respect and non-discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) held on 17 May.

The EU Ambassador H. E. Luc Véron called on everyone to uphold the full human rights and well-being of all LGBTI people while reaffirming our respect for everyone regardless of gender expression or identity, sex and sexual orientation.

As the world is challenged by the pandemic, disinformation and aggression, all stakeholders – governments, businesses, academe, communities, and families – are strongly encouraged to promote equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness.

Joined the IDAHOT Day and called for equality are (In country alphabetical order) Australia H.E. Steve Robinson, Austria, H.E. Bita Rasoulian, Belgium H.E. Ambassador Michel Parys, Canada H.E. Peter MacArthur, Czech Republic H.E. Jana Šedivá, European Union H. E. Luc Véron, Finland H.E. Juha Pykkö, France H.E. Michèle Boccoz, Germany H.E. Anke Reiffenstuel, Ireland H.E. William Carlos, Italy, H.E. Marco Clemente, Netherlands, Ms. Monique Van Daalen (CDA a.i.), South Africa, H.E. Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe, Spain H.E. Jorge Moragas and
Sweden, Mr. Tobias Settergren (CDA a.i.).