Diplomatic missions in Brasilia and the UN System in Brazil unite on May 17 to again renew their commitment to fight for equality and dignity for all.
On the International Day Against LGBTI-phobia – Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People (IDAHOT) — May 17 — the European Union Delegation in Brazil, in partnership with diplomatic missions in Brasilia and the United Nations System in Brazil, based on the UN Campaign “Free and Equal,” reiterate our firm commitment to the fight for equality and dignity of all human beings, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sexual characteristics. The central theme of IDAHOT celebrations in 2019 is “Justice and Protection for All People.” We are all entitled to equal treatment.
On May 15, opening its activities, the United Nations brought together the international community, government, activists and civil society organizations in the UN House. The UN Free & Equal campaign launched a new video in Brazil. With a call to action, the material celebrates recent global advances for equality and fair treatment for the LGBTI population, while highlighting challenges to the full realization of rights of this population.
Also in Brasilia, on May 17, we will join in support of the LGBTI movement. The rainbow flag, symbol of the struggle for the rights of these populations, will be hoisted by some of the participating representatives.
From May 23 to June 6, diplomatic missions and cultural centers will organize, in Brasilia, the 4th International LGBTI Film Festival. The struggle for equal rights, the discovery of one’s identity, the acceptance of identity by family and society are some of the themes dealt with by the films (Aliança Francesa, Camões – Centro Cultural Português in Brasilia, Goethe-Zentrum Brasilia, and Instituto Cervantes).
IDAHOT was first organized in 2004. May 17 marks the day of homosexuality’s withdrawal from the international classification of diseases by the World Health Organization. Even today, the identity of trans people is considered a disease, contributing to stigma and discrimination against transvestites and transsexuals. LGBTI people are often the target of violence and hate crimes.
Despite the remarkable progress made worldwide over the past few years, more than 70 jurisdictions still criminalize same-sex relationships. In many parts of the world, discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people remains a daily occurrence. Protecting LGBTI persons from discrimination requires implementation of the principles of protection of human dignity, non-discrimination, and privacy of all individuals, including LGBTI persons.
The EU, its Member States identified below, Australia, Canada, the United States, Norway, New Zealand and the UN condemn discrimination and violence against LGBTI individuals and will continue to work with all partners to promote human rights in the whole world.
In Brazil, the promotion of LGBTI rights requires engagement at legislative and institutional levels. We support the organization of the International Seminar on Public Policies for Trans People that will be held on June 18 and 19, 2019 in São Paulo. It is also in this context that projects are funded with the aim of contributing to improve the visibility and acceptance of LGBTI organizations by strengthening their dialogue with the authorities to change laws, combat LGBTI-phobia and protect LGBTI people from violence. Since 2014, the UN Free & Equal campaign, an unprecedented initiative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), has been implemented in Brazil with the aim of promoting equal rights and fair treatment of the LGBTI population. For more information go to www.unfe.org
Press Contacts:
Embassy of Australia in Brasília
Julia Thomson – Julia.thomson6@dfat.gov.au
Embassy of Austria in Brasília
Bruna Caixeta–3443 3111 / bruna.caixeta@bmeia.gv.at
Embassy of Belgium in Brasília
Delphine Charles – 3443 1133– Delphine.Charles@diplobel.fed.be
Embassy of Bulgaria in Brasília
Magdalena Ilieva – 32236193 / milieva@mfa.bg
Embassy of Canada in Brasília
Deborah Miller – 3424 5400 / brsla-pa@international.gc.ca
Embassy of Cyprus in Brasília
Guilherme Figueredo – 3541 6892 – gfigueredo@mfa.gov.cy
Embassy of Denmark in Brasília
Julie Madsen – 3878 4500 / julmad@um.dk
Embassy of Finland in Brasília
Sami Wacklin 3443 7151 / sami.wacklin@formin.fi
Embassy of France in Brasília
Stéphanie Carpentier – 3222 3911 / stephanie.carpentier@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Embassy of Germany in Brasília
Damaris Jenne – 3442 7026 / pr-1@bras.diplo.de
Embassy of Ireland in Brasília
Declan Heery- 3248 8800 / declan.heery@dfa.ie
Embassy of Italy in Brasília
Alessandra Crimi – 3442 9947 / alessandra.crimi@esteri.it
Embassy of Netherlands in Brasília
Ineke van de Pol – 3961-3200 / ineke-vande.pol@minbuza.nl
Embassy of New Zealand in Brasília
Jaqueline Gil / Jaqueline.Gil@mfat.govt.nz
Embassy of Norway in Brasília
Astrid Susanne Skjold – 3521-9898 / astrid.susanne.skjold@mfa.no
Embassy of Portugal in Brasília
Joana Araújo – Joana.araujo@embaixadadeportugal.org.br
Embassy of Romania in Brasília
Valeriu Rusu – 3226 2481 / valeriu.rusu@mae.ro
Embassy of Slovenia in Brasília
Tanja Maslac – 33651445 / tanja.maslac@gov.si
Embassy of Spain in Brasilia
Tamar San Miguel García – 3701 1616 / tamar.sanmiguel@maec.es
Embassy of Sweden in Brasília
Faraz Davani– 3442 5214 / faraz.davani@gov.se
Embassy of the United Kingdom in Brasília
Pedro Nogueira – 3329 2330 / pedro.nogueira@fco.gov.uk
Embassy of United States of America in Brasília
Mark A. Pannell – 3312 7354 / pannellma@state.gov
European Union Delegation in Brazil
Humberto Netto – 2104 3119 / humberto.netto@eeas.europa.eu
UN Brazil
Maurizio Giuliano – (21) 98212-1333 / unic.brazil@unic.org
Roberta Caldo – (21) 2253 2211 / unic.brazil@unic.org
