Philippines: Activists Renew Call for Support of Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Law Protecting LGBT People
11/27/2001
UPDATE
House Bill (HB) 2784, a comprehensive bill providing protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, is scheduled for a critical hearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Civil, Political, and Human Rights in the Philippines on December 5, 2001.
This bill, a product of innovative consultations between legislators and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community members in the Philippines, is the focus of the multi-year "Stop Discrimination Now!" campaign launched jointly by Amnesty International-Pilipinas and the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB), a coalition of 12 community organizations. HB2784, if passed, would provide the first mechanism to safeguard against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the Philippines.
Amnesty International-Pilipinas and LAGABLAB renew their call for letters in support of HB2784 as this hearing date approaches. This letter writing campaign also bolsters a motorcade and picket demonstration by "Stop Discrimination Now" advocates before the hearing. For more background information, see recent IGLHRC Action Alert, "Philippines: Join Campaign for Anti-Discrimination Laws Protecting Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgenders", September 27, 2001, at http://iglhrc.org/world/se_asia/Philippines2001Sep.html.
ACTION
Please send letters in support of House Bill 2784 to the Committee on Civil, Political, and Human Rights.
Updated contact information and a sample letter follow:
- COMMITTEE ON CIVIL, POLITICAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
- Third floor, Annex Building
House of Representatives
Batasan Hills, Diliman
Quezon City, Philippines - ATTENTION:
Hon. Loretta Ann P. Rosales, Committee Chair
Hon. Henry P. Lanot, First Vice Chair
Hon. Nereus O. Acosta, Jr., Second Vice Chair
Committee Members - FAX NUMBER: +632 932-4803
E-MAIL ADDRESS: c/o Hon. Loretta Ann P. Rosales, Committee Chair: conglapr@nsclub.net
PLEASE SEND A COPY OF CORRESPONDENCE BY E-MAIL: c/o "Stop Discrimination Now!":
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Members of the Committee on Civil, Political, and Human Rights,
I am writing to you as a member of the international human rights community deeply concerned about ending discrimination toward lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders throughout Filipino society. I strongly urge your support of House Bill 2784, which provides comprehensive protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, education, as well as medical and public facilities, among other realms.
The goal of human and civil rights measures is to protect all persons equally, without distinction or discrimination. HB2784, in enshrining protections against abuse and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, advances the promise of the universality of rights. These are not claims to "new rights" or to "special rights", but rather extend protections for human dignity to include the most vulnerable groups in society, and to publicize and prevent the least visible and most easily concealed violations.
In adopting this legislation, the Philippines would join the rapidly growing ranks of countries around the world--including South Africa, Fiji, Brazil, Ecuador, the Netherlands, Israel, and Costa Rica--that recognize the importance of national-level anti-discrimination legislation in the fulfillment of international human rights standards. Indeed, within an atmosphere of stigma, discrimination, and lack of social acceptance toward any social group, enshrining protection in law is essential not only as a deterrent to discrimination and statement of values, but also as an educative tool in itself.
Thank you for your efforts to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation--and concern ultimately for the human rights of all persons in the Philippines.
Sincerely,
BACKGROUND
In September 2001, Amnesty International-Pilipinas and LAGABLAB re-launched the "Stop Discrimination Now!" campaign opposing discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transsexuals (LGBT) in the Philippines, with a successful picket demonstration before Congress. This multi-year campaign aims to raise public sensitivity about discrimination and prejudice against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders, as well as translate increased awareness into popular support for policies and legislation seeking to protect and promote LGBT rights.
Central to this campaign is a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill--re-introduced by Rep. Loretta Rosales into the new House of Representatives as House Bill (HB) 2784 and subject to potential refiling in the Senate--that emerged after a series of consultations between legislators and members of the LAGABLAB network.
LAGABLAB was formed in 1999 as a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to legislative advocacy addressing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Its membership now includes 12 organizations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender groups (Indigo, Katlo, Lesbian Advocates- Philippines (LeAP!), The Library Foundation (TLF), Society of United Lesbiana (SoUL), Womyn Supporting Womyn Center (WSWC), University of Philippines-Babaylan, religious organizations (Metropolitan Community Church-Manila, Order of Saint Aelred and Kristo Hesus Growth Ministries), a newspaper (ManilaOUT Newspaper), and several individuals.
HB2784, if passed, would provide the first mechanism to safeguard against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the Philippines. It seeks to address discriminatory practices in the following realms:
- use of sexual orientation in the criteria for hiring, promotion, and dismissal of workers and termination of compensation and benefits;
- refusal of admission to educational institutions;
- denial of access to or the use of establishments, facilities, utilities, or services open to the public;
- denial of access to medical and other health services;
- denial of access to public services;
- denial of application for professional licenses issued by the government;
- denial of application of a license, clearance, certification, or any other document issued by government authorities.
To bolster lobbying related to this bill, Amnesty International-Pilipinas and LAGABLAB members are conducting signature campaigns within LGBT communities as well as allied communities in support of this bill; organizing consultations between stakeholders and targeted committee members in Congress; publicizing the campaign through public fora and media; and networking with local, national, and international LGBT communities to build solidarity.
INTERNATIONAL LAW
The right to freedom from discrimination is affirmed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in its Articles 2 and 7 and by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in its Articles 2 and 26. The United Nations Human Rights Committee, in the 1994 case of Toonen v Australia, held that ICCPR protections against discrimination should be interpreted to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The Philippines ratified the ICCPR in 1986. The UDHR is considered part of customary international law and is binding on all member states of the United Nations.
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