These are few interesting facts that should be remembered and I felt like sharing. :)
What outstanding machineries our bodies seem to be!
saving from gettin´ ´em lost somewhere in the time continuum ...
6/02/2014
6/28/2012
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe - Croatian Prime Minister answers question on situation of sexual minorities in Croatia
2012 ORDINARY SESSION Of the Council of Europe
Complete text of the session at this link:
http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/Records/2012/E/1206271530E.htm
Mr HAUGLI (Norway) – Prime Minister, today, this Assembly is debating the state of democracy in Europe and how the rather negative attitudes towards minority groups are exploited for political purposes. Sexual minorities form one such group, and I want to congratulate you on your statement on securing fundamental rights for all. How do you view the situation for sexual minorities in Croatia, particularly when it comes to partnership law and violence, including police violence?
THE PRESIDENT (Translation) – Thank you. Would you like to answer that question, Mr Milanović?
Mr MILANOVIĆ –Our political programme stipulates that we will further extend freedom and equality for LGBT couples. We might not necessarily grant them the status that they enjoy in some Nordic and other European countries, but we will certainly go beyond the current standard. That has been our pledge, and that pledge will be fulfilled.
When I make my statements, I always bear in mind the future, the past and tradition. The tradition of a society, be it Christian, Islamic, Catholic or whatever, is not necessarily the best reference. Traditionally, husbands were allowed to beat up women. That was part of the tradition, not just in my country, but elsewhere. That was a very bad tradition. Things change. It takes time, but we will change the law and implement new standards, and we will talk and talk and talk. That is what the rule of law is all about. It is not just button pressing; it is about permanent conversation to do with the spirit of the law, what the law really means and what it stands for. It is about the element of trust and confidence. It is a lengthy and complicated process, but we think we are on the right and just path.
Only yesterday, two lesbian girls were beaten up in downtown Zagreb on board a tram for exposing their sexual affinity in a very mild and benign fashion. They were approached by a thug and he punched one of them. Such a thing has not happened in Zagreb for a very long time, and Gay Pride attracts very little attention. In Rijeka, there is no march at all, because there is no interest. It is fully open and liberal.
As you might know, in Split, another Croatian city that is very close to my heart, identity and ancestry, the situation is slightly different. If we strike too harshly against opponents who are not getting our message, we might just be paying lip service to the cause. We must do things slowly, permanently and diligently, step by step. Then things will change. Things are already much better in Split this year than last year. Last year, there was a police incident and a mob attacked the march. It did not bode well for my country politically, but things are changing.
Croatia is a country of diversity – a country of the Mediterranean, central Europe and the north, culturally and even in human appearance. It is a small nation, but very diverse.
Complete text of the session at this link:
http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/Records/2012/E/1206271530E.htm
Mr HAUGLI (Norway) – Prime Minister, today, this Assembly is debating the state of democracy in Europe and how the rather negative attitudes towards minority groups are exploited for political purposes. Sexual minorities form one such group, and I want to congratulate you on your statement on securing fundamental rights for all. How do you view the situation for sexual minorities in Croatia, particularly when it comes to partnership law and violence, including police violence?
THE PRESIDENT (Translation) – Thank you. Would you like to answer that question, Mr Milanović?
Mr MILANOVIĆ –Our political programme stipulates that we will further extend freedom and equality for LGBT couples. We might not necessarily grant them the status that they enjoy in some Nordic and other European countries, but we will certainly go beyond the current standard. That has been our pledge, and that pledge will be fulfilled.
When I make my statements, I always bear in mind the future, the past and tradition. The tradition of a society, be it Christian, Islamic, Catholic or whatever, is not necessarily the best reference. Traditionally, husbands were allowed to beat up women. That was part of the tradition, not just in my country, but elsewhere. That was a very bad tradition. Things change. It takes time, but we will change the law and implement new standards, and we will talk and talk and talk. That is what the rule of law is all about. It is not just button pressing; it is about permanent conversation to do with the spirit of the law, what the law really means and what it stands for. It is about the element of trust and confidence. It is a lengthy and complicated process, but we think we are on the right and just path.
Only yesterday, two lesbian girls were beaten up in downtown Zagreb on board a tram for exposing their sexual affinity in a very mild and benign fashion. They were approached by a thug and he punched one of them. Such a thing has not happened in Zagreb for a very long time, and Gay Pride attracts very little attention. In Rijeka, there is no march at all, because there is no interest. It is fully open and liberal.
As you might know, in Split, another Croatian city that is very close to my heart, identity and ancestry, the situation is slightly different. If we strike too harshly against opponents who are not getting our message, we might just be paying lip service to the cause. We must do things slowly, permanently and diligently, step by step. Then things will change. Things are already much better in Split this year than last year. Last year, there was a police incident and a mob attacked the march. It did not bode well for my country politically, but things are changing.
Croatia is a country of diversity – a country of the Mediterranean, central Europe and the north, culturally and even in human appearance. It is a small nation, but very diverse.
6/08/2012
Denmark allows same-sex marriages
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/06/07/Denmark-allows-same-sex-marriages/UPI-79181339082230/#ixzz1x9AXfVRn
"We are giving vicars the opportunity to say no. That's what's so fantastic about this proposal. On the one hand it allows same sex couples the opportunity to get married," Minister for Equality Manu Sareen said. "But at the same time we are reaching out to priests and saying that those who don't want to wed homosexual couples don't have to. We recognize that when dealing with theology you have to accept there will be different interpretations."
Published: June 7, 2012 at 11:17 AM
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 7 (UPI) -- The Danish Parliament voted 85-24 Thursday to legalize same-sex marriage, opening the way for such unions as early as June 15.
Couples in civil partnerships will automatically be granted the status of married, officials said.
"Today we allow homosexual couples to enter into marriage on the same footing as any others -- something that Socialdemokraterne has fought for many years," Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt posted on Facebook.
The law does, however, allow priests to decline to marry same-sex couples in their churches, The Copenhagen Post reported.
"We are giving vicars the opportunity to say no. That's what's so fantastic about this proposal. On the one hand it allows same sex couples the opportunity to get married," Minister for Equality Manu Sareen said. "But at the same time we are reaching out to priests and saying that those who don't want to wed homosexual couples don't have to. We recognize that when dealing with theology you have to accept there will be different interpretations."
Not everyone is please with the law, though. The Kristendemokraterne Party, which holds no seats in Parliament, said the legislation restricts religious freedom and has threatened to sue the state.
"Parliament is infringing on religious freedom and in doing so violates the Constitution. That is why we are working on a lawsuit against the state to protect religious freedom and protect people who feel the law infringes their right to practice their faith," Kristendemokraterne Party Chairman Per Orum Jorgensen said. 4/30/2012
UN Adopts Landmark Resolution on Youth and Adolescents
It is April, 30th, 2012th and it seems we have some important news coming from United Nations regarding Youth and LGBT related problems and topics...
So here it goes...
Today the UN Commission on Population and Development adopted a
landmark resolution on the theme "Adolescents and Youth". For the
first time, the UN has agreed on lthe following language:
To protect and promote adolescent's and young people's rights to
control their sexuality free from violence, discrimination and
coercion (PP15)
To protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms
regardless of age and marital status.... and by protecting the human
rights of adolescents and youth to have control over and decide freely
and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality, including
sexual and reproductive health (OP7)
To comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, including
safe abortion where legal and in circumstances where is it is not
against the law, training and equipping health-service providers and
other measures to ensure that such abortion is safe and accessible
(OP23)
To give the full attention to meeting the reproductive health service,
information and education needs of young people with full respect for
their privacy and confidentiality, free of discrimination, and to
provide them with evidence-based comprehensive education on human
sexuality, on sexual and reproductive health, human rights and gender
equality, to enable them to deal in a positive and responsible way
with their sexuality (OP26)
It also contains a number of important provisions on employment, HIV,
youth participation, eliminating early and forced marriage, and
others.
So here it goes...
Today the UN Commission on Population and Development adopted a
landmark resolution on the theme "Adolescents and Youth". For the
first time, the UN has agreed on lthe following language:
To protect and promote adolescent's and young people's rights to
control their sexuality free from violence, discrimination and
coercion (PP15)
To protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms
regardless of age and marital status.... and by protecting the human
rights of adolescents and youth to have control over and decide freely
and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality, including
sexual and reproductive health (OP7)
To comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, including
safe abortion where legal and in circumstances where is it is not
against the law, training and equipping health-service providers and
other measures to ensure that such abortion is safe and accessible
(OP23)
To give the full attention to meeting the reproductive health service,
information and education needs of young people with full respect for
their privacy and confidentiality, free of discrimination, and to
provide them with evidence-based comprehensive education on human
sexuality, on sexual and reproductive health, human rights and gender
equality, to enable them to deal in a positive and responsible way
with their sexuality (OP26)
It also contains a number of important provisions on employment, HIV,
youth participation, eliminating early and forced marriage, and
others.
4/28/2012
Montenegri
The LGBT Forum Progress and Centre of Civic Education (CCE) are continuously working on enhancing knowledge and understanding of human rights in Montenegro, from various aspects. In that regard, one of the joint project was “U redu je biti drugačiji!” (It is ok to be different!), with the support of the Embassy of Canada.
The project “U redu je biti drugačiji!” aims to increase capacities for the protection of human rights, with a special focus on the rights of LGBT. The commercial, produced by the LGBT Forum Progres, Centre for Civic Education and Koala Production and authored by Danilo Marunovic, helps raising awareness on the topic and on the prejudices still present in Montenegro against LGBT people.
The afore-mentioned commercial was awarded the Grand Prix of the Festival FORFEST on creative industry of Budva (19.04-21.04) where 110 companies from 8 different countries took part, thus giving attention on the topic not only locally but also from a regional and international point of view, strengthening the aims and goals of our projects and organizations on a wider scale.
3/15/2012
Good News For the LGBT Population of Georgia :D
Georgia is going to take the hatred towards LGBT into the scope of crime
Georgian Parliamentary Committee accepted sexual orientation and gender identity as the indicators of hate crimes
European Commission against non-tolerance and discrimination (ECRI) recommended Georgian government to amend Georgian criminal law by adding hate crimes directed against members of ethnic and religious minority groups as a general aggravating circumstance. Complying with the recommendation, Georgian authority elaborated new-draft law that covered religious and ethnic minorities.
By augmenting sexual orientation and gender identity, Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association (GYLA) along with LGBT-Georgia submitted its own draft in which Sexual orientation and gender identity were included. The majority of parliamentary committee fully upheld the initiatives and sexual orientation and gender identity first appeared in the official version of draft law.
The law should undertake two plenary hearing; Georgian LGBT organizations hope that the parliament will not reject to adopt the bill.
the source:
http://kaosgl.org/page.php?id=108423/14/2012
Great news - no longer any sterilisations in Sweden!
The Stockholm administrative court has just come to the decision that the requirement of being barren, for a applicant who wants new legal gender, is in conflict with the European convention. Therefore, the reqirement should not be used.
It was last year the Discriminationbyreau in Uppsala handled in a case to the court, where a transsexeual man made an appeal about the decision he got from the authority which manages issues about changes of legal gender, the Law Council of The National Board of Health and Welfare. The Council turned the applicants wish down, saying he didn´t fullfill the requirement about sterilization stated in the law.
Now the court has decided the that the requirement of sterilization is in conflict with articel 8 in the European Convention, and cannot therefore be used.
If this decision becomes a precendant, that mean, not only the applicant but every transsexual in Sweden from this day has the right to change legal gender, without being forced to undergo sterilazation. Since there are no other medical or surgical requirements, Sweden now in practice, but not jet in law, does fullfill the Recommendations to Council of Europe member states, stated by Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights. The recommendations says that no memberstate of the European Council should require any medical or surgical procedures from people who wants to change legal gender.
The National Board of Health and Welfare has so far said nothing about if they will appeal. But in 2010 the authority in a report clearly argumented against the sterilazation requirement. So they are likely not to appeal, I would say.
the text is taken from the very well known Sweden trans activist : Lukas Romson
It was last year the Discriminationbyreau in Uppsala handled in a case to the court, where a transsexeual man made an appeal about the decision he got from the authority which manages issues about changes of legal gender, the Law Council of The National Board of Health and Welfare. The Council turned the applicants wish down, saying he didn´t fullfill the requirement about sterilization stated in the law.
Now the court has decided the that the requirement of sterilization is in conflict with articel 8 in the European Convention, and cannot therefore be used.
If this decision becomes a precendant, that mean, not only the applicant but every transsexual in Sweden from this day has the right to change legal gender, without being forced to undergo sterilazation. Since there are no other medical or surgical requirements, Sweden now in practice, but not jet in law, does fullfill the Recommendations to Council of Europe member states, stated by Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights. The recommendations says that no memberstate of the European Council should require any medical or surgical procedures from people who wants to change legal gender.
The National Board of Health and Welfare has so far said nothing about if they will appeal. But in 2010 the authority in a report clearly argumented against the sterilazation requirement. So they are likely not to appeal, I would say.
the text is taken from the very well known Sweden trans activist : Lukas Romson
3/02/2012
Pakistan opposes UN panel on discrimination and violence against LGBT people
PERMANENT MISSION OF PAKISTAN
TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND
OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
President of the Human Rights Council
Geneva
My dear President,
I am writing to you in my capacity as Coordinator of the OIC Group on Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues in Geneva.
2. I wish to explain the position taken by the Member States of the OIC onResolution 17/19 and the subsequent Panel on “Discrimination and Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” scheduled to be held on 7 March 2012 during the 19′th Session of the Human rights Council.
3. The OIC States are deeply concerned by the introduction in the Human Rights Council of controversial notions like “sexual orientation and gender identity.” The OIC countries have been consistent in their opposition to the consideration of these controversial notions in the context of human right at international fora.
4. We are seriously concerned at the attempt to introduce in the United Nations concepts that have no legal foundation in any international human rights instrument. The international community only recognizes those rights enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which were codified in subsequent international legal instruments.
5. We note with concern the attempts to create controversial “new notions” or “new standards” by misinterpreting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and intemational treaties to include such notions that were never articulated or agreed to by the UN membership. These attempts undermine not only the intent of the drafters and signatories to these human rights instruments, but also seriously jeopardize the entire international human rights framework.
6. We are even more disturbed at the attempt to focus on certain persons on the grounds of their abnormal sexual behaviour, while not focusing on the glaring instances of intolerance and discrimination in various parts of the world, be it on the basis of colour, race, gender or religion, to mention only a few.
7. It must also be recognized that the international community agreed during the World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in 1993, that while considering the issue of human rights, national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind. From this perspective, the issue of sexual orientation is unacceptable to the OIC.
8. The OIC Member States are concerned that the Panel will discuss issues that relate to personal behavior and preferences, and have nothing to do with fundamental human rights. This debate will shift the focus from the real issues that deserve the attention of the Council.
9. For the reasons explained above the Member States of the OIC would like to place on record their opposition to the holding of this panel and will not accept its considerations and recommendations.
LGBT human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell works with the democracy and human rights movements in Pakistan. He said:
TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND
OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
56 me de Moillebeau
1211 Geneva 19
Tel: (4122) 7491930
Fax: (4122) 734 8085
E-mail: mission.vakistan@ties.ita.int.
1211 Geneva 19
Tel: (4122) 7491930
Fax: (4122) 734 8085
E-mail: mission.vakistan@ties.ita.int.
Ambassador
No. Pol/S0/2012
No. Pol/S0/2012
14 February 2012
H.E. Ms. Laura Dupuy LasserrePresident of the Human Rights Council
Geneva
My dear President,
I am writing to you in my capacity as Coordinator of the OIC Group on Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues in Geneva.
2. I wish to explain the position taken by the Member States of the OIC onResolution 17/19 and the subsequent Panel on “Discrimination and Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” scheduled to be held on 7 March 2012 during the 19′th Session of the Human rights Council.
3. The OIC States are deeply concerned by the introduction in the Human Rights Council of controversial notions like “sexual orientation and gender identity.” The OIC countries have been consistent in their opposition to the consideration of these controversial notions in the context of human right at international fora.
4. We are seriously concerned at the attempt to introduce in the United Nations concepts that have no legal foundation in any international human rights instrument. The international community only recognizes those rights enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which were codified in subsequent international legal instruments.
5. We note with concern the attempts to create controversial “new notions” or “new standards” by misinterpreting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and intemational treaties to include such notions that were never articulated or agreed to by the UN membership. These attempts undermine not only the intent of the drafters and signatories to these human rights instruments, but also seriously jeopardize the entire international human rights framework.
6. We are even more disturbed at the attempt to focus on certain persons on the grounds of their abnormal sexual behaviour, while not focusing on the glaring instances of intolerance and discrimination in various parts of the world, be it on the basis of colour, race, gender or religion, to mention only a few.
7. It must also be recognized that the international community agreed during the World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in 1993, that while considering the issue of human rights, national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind. From this perspective, the issue of sexual orientation is unacceptable to the OIC.
8. The OIC Member States are concerned that the Panel will discuss issues that relate to personal behavior and preferences, and have nothing to do with fundamental human rights. This debate will shift the focus from the real issues that deserve the attention of the Council.
9. For the reasons explained above the Member States of the OIC would like to place on record their opposition to the holding of this panel and will not accept its considerations and recommendations.
Sincerely yours,
Zamir Akram
Ambassador and Permanent Representative
Coordinator of the OIC Group on Human Rights
and Humanitarian Issues
Copy to H.E. Ms. Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human RightsAmbassador and Permanent Representative
Coordinator of the OIC Group on Human Rights
and Humanitarian Issues
AND HERE IS WHAT HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST PETER TATCHELL SAYS:
LGBT human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell works with the democracy and human rights movements in Pakistan. He said:
"Pakistan has signed up to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees equal treatment and non-discrimination to all people. It is a member of the Commonwealth, whose Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, has declared that homophobic discrimination and violence is incompatible with Commonwealth values.
"Shamefully, Pakistan opposes a UN panel discussing discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Even many governments that disagree with homosexuality agree that violence against anyone, including sexual minorities, is wrong.
"The bigoted stance of the Pakistani Ambassador to the UN, Zamir Akram, is ill-informed about human sexuality and human rights law. He is living in the Dark Ages, ignoring scientific understanding and humanitarian ethics. His homophobic views are an insult to the estimated nine million lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pakistanis.
"I urge the Pakistani President and Prime Minister to repudiate this intolerant, ignorant letter. The Ambassador's rejection of universal human rights is deplorable. It casts the government of Pakistan in a bad light," said Mr Tatchell.
2/25/2012
No Deep Sea Oil Petition | GREENPEACE New Zealand
No Deep Sea Oil Petition | GREENPEACE New Zealand
FOLKS, LETS JOIN LUCY LAWLESS AND GREEN PEACE IN THEIR FIGHT FOR OUR MOTHER EARTH, PLEASE???
FOLKS, LETS JOIN LUCY LAWLESS AND GREEN PEACE IN THEIR FIGHT FOR OUR MOTHER EARTH, PLEASE???
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