Govt debunks claims of discrimination against LGBT community

GUYANA Times
Svetlana Marshall
Original Article:  bit.ly/1HNXQvI

The Guyana Government on Wednesday debunked claims that the Administration discriminates against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community here when it came under review at 15th Meeting of the 21st Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group.

Guyana was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. In addressing the forum, the Foreign Affairs Minister said her Government is unaware of discrimination claims made by the Society Against Sexual Orientation (SASOD).

At the time, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett was referencing a report that was submitted by SASOD on June 15, 2014 to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. “The Government wishes to reiterate that the State does not discriminate against persons based on their sexual orientation, and that every Guyanese is entitled to their right to freedom of expression, employment, housing, medical care, as provided in the Constitution, laws and policies of Guyana,” the Minister said in response.

According to Rodrigues-Birkett, the Government is also unaware of complaints that it discriminates in employment with regards to the LGBT community in Guyana. “Regrettably, these complaints have not been brought to the attention of the Chief Labour Officer, the Public Service Commission or the court’s attention,” the Foreign Affairs Minister told the UPR Working Group.

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