Martin stresses equal rights for homosexuals

May 17, 2006
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Chief of UN Human Rights Mission in Kathmandu, Ian Martin, has stressed the need of laws in Nepal that guarantee the rights of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

Addressing a programme organised by Blue Diamond Society on the occasion of International Day Against Homophobia in the capital on Wednesday, Martin said, “Discrimination against lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people, or metis, takes many forms and often results in violence against them.”

In Nepal, discrimination against sexual and gender minorities often results in them being ostracised by their families and forced to leave their homes, Martin said, adding discrimination in educational and work opportunities, public places and sexual violence by state agents were prevalent.

Martin further said, “The commitment to non-discrimination is required in law and to be enforced by the authorities. It is also for communities, families and each of us individually to make sure that as we live our day-to-day lives, we do not discriminate against anyone.”

Blue Diamond Society has been fighting for rights of lesbian and gays since a few years.