"I ONLY REQUIRE FAIRNESS FOR EVERYONE."

Thursday, July 26, 2012 17:14

Whose idea was taken from his speech at the conference Le Quang Binh consultations on the ASEAN Declaration of Human Rights had occurred.

Sincerely representatives Intergovernmental Committee on ASEAN human rights!

Dear ladies, gentlemen!

I want to start with a question why do we need a Bill of Rights in the context of so many cultural differences, economic and social development levels and political systems among the ASEAN countries ? The answer is that we have a common goal which is to protect human rights and freedoms of all citizens of ASEAN. We need mechanisms to protect human rights because we know that there are groups and individuals vulnerable than other groups, especially women, the disabled, ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples, homosexual, but calculated and transgender.

There are millions of ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples in ASEAN. They are often marginalized, stigma, discrimination by specific cultures, different lifestyles, beliefs and traditions especially community ownership of land and natural resources. Their livelihoods are often threatened and destroyed by the mining projects, hydroelectric power, armed conflict and resettlement. In general, ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples are the poorest, most vulnerable and human rights violated their most vulnerable. Therefore, I call on ASEAN Declaration of Human Rights to ensure the rights of ethnic minorities in land ownership by individuals or communities as they wish, be informed and consulted and agree in advance when mining projects, hydroelectric and migration is performed.ASEAN Declaration of Human Rights should ensure the right of minorities to preserve and develop their culture such as language, local knowledge and methods of traditional public administration. 

There is one other minority groups are often stigmatized, discrimination and even criminalization was only because they are themselves. This group is gay, lesbian, but calculated and transgender. Who is gay? They are doctors, lawyers, teachers, soldiers, workers, students, sons, daughters, relatives, colleagues and friends.Discrimination against homosexuals is discriminatory someone who we love and respect. When refusing the right of homosexual marriage, building long term relationships and sustainable common property ownership, inheritance rights, child rights, adoption rights ... we not only deny the human rights of gay people but also create problems for their families, for communities and for heterosexuals. Many gay men do not dare to be yourself because life social stigma and discrimination in the law, they married heterosexuals to conceal their sexual orientation. Thus, many people become heterosexual spouses of gay people. Is this a happy family? Is this not a good outcome? No, not right and I believe that straight people do not want to have your partner is gay like gay people do not want to have a heterosexual partner. Heterosexual, homosexual, but the transsexual and want and deserve to live themselves. Recognize the right of gay people is a win-win solution for both homosexuals and heterosexuals. Therefore, I call on ASEAN Declaration of Human Rights ensure equal rights for everyone, including gays, but calculated and transgender. Declaration of Human Rights should eliminate all forms of discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity documents. 

I know that it was not easy for a government specifying the rights of ethnic minorities and gays in their laws. I know the ASEAN Declaration of Human Rights need to get consensus. Because of these challenges that some people want to compromise by changing the name the specific ethnic minorities, indigenous people and homosexuals with "lack of numbers in the form of self." This could be a good suggestion but we are still avoiding the issue. I call on the Intergovernmental Committee on ASEAN human rights to ethnic minorities, indigenous people, gay people, but the computer and switch on to ensure gender equality and human rights for everyone. If the ASEAN Declaration of Human Rights did not specify the minority groups, millions will become invisible and their human rights will be violated. I admit it does not require a difference, do not require new right. I only require fairness for everyone, including ethnic minorities, indigenous people, gay people, but calculated and transgender. I believe that together we will make the brave step to achieve this. Thank you! 

Mr. Le Quang Binh - Institute for Social Research, Economic and Environment (ISEE)