IGLHRC on the state of LGBT rights in Asia Pacific

Written by Administrator Monday, 03 May 2010 00:00

We have been in contact with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), one of the few international organisations dedicated solely to working on the LGBT rights issues throughout the globe, since 2004 when MILC was in existence. In 2008 IGLHRC made a report detailing the state of the LGBT rights in the Asia Pacific region. Since then, of course, we had great developments as well in the region.

Such as: Delhi High Court pronouncing the section 377 as unconstitutional in July 2009, bringing joy to all who are working on LGBT rights. Unfortunately, the decision was appealed and is now at the High Court level, with the final judgment still pending. And since 2009, India's neighbour Nepal has been looking into legalising same-sex marriages at the Parliament level, the bill drafted by the first out Parliamentarian, Sunil Babu Punt, the founder of the Nepalese Blue Diamond Society. To come closer to Mongolia, our own southern neighbour has been quietly making great strides in the LGBT rights area: again, the law on same-sex marriages. In the last 3 years, the law was presented to its supreme legislative body as many times and returned as many times. However, the media's attitude and the general societal attitude are reported to be very positive on this issue. And where is our beloved country in all this? Read the IGLHRC report as well as our UPR submissions.