DIILI, 21 september 2021 (TATOLI) – The Coalition for Diversity and Action (CODIVA Foundation) is committed to fight and defend the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) against stigma and discrimination in the communities.
The Executive Director of CODIVA, Laura Afonso de Jesus made the comments during the launching ceremony of dissemination of information on the rights of LGBTI to the village head across the country.
“The aim of launching the dissemination of information on the rights of LGBTI is to raise the awareness of the village chiefs to combat the stigma and discrimination against the LGBTI group in the society,” said De Jesus.
She said in the past three months CODIVA Foundation has recorded more than 160 cases of violence, discrimination, and stigma against the LGBTI group in Timor-Leste.
De Jesus emphasized that the government of Timor-Leste had initiated social inclusion program as an alternative to ensure all individuals and groups take part in society by improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.
“However, in reality, the majority of LGBTI groups in Timor-Leste are still experiencing gender-based violence, discrimination, and stigma in the society and we will keep fighting to defend the rights of the LGBTI,” De Jesus stressed.
De Jesus said through the joint efforts between CODIVA Foundation and village chiefs would definitely transform the mindset of the communities towards a tolerant and inclusive society in the future.
She said article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states: “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.”
At the same place, Vice Minister of State Administration, Lino de Jesus Torrezão reiterated that LGBTI have the same rights as any other person, saying therefore society has no reason to discriminate against LGBTI based on their gender orientation and so on.
According to article 16 of the constitution of Timor-Leste on Universality and Equality states that: 1) all citizens are equal before the law, shall exercise the same rights, and shall be subject to the same duties, and 2) no one shall be discriminated against on the grounds of color, race, marital status, gender, ethnical origin, language, social or economic status, political or ideological convictions, religion, education, and physical or mental condition.
In addition, the head of the Motael Village, Lucas A.C.G. Viegas said that CODIVA Foundation has to collaborate with the other relevant entities to combat the gender-based violence, discrimination, and stigma against LGBTI, starting right from the villages through a national campaign program in order to raise the awareness of the communities.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
