How local action creates real human rights impact

Amnesty activists publish opinion editorial in the Sunshine Coast Daily to acknowledge IDAHOBIT 2019.

Published Saturday 25 May 2019

Last week we celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). It marks an annual day of action to stand up for a world where all people are safe and included no matter their sexual orientation (who they’re attracted to), gender identity (how they define themselves), gender expression (how they express their gender through clothing, hair or make-up), or sex characteristics (for example, genitals, chromosomes, reproductive organs, or hormone levels).

This day is significant to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community because we often face discrimination, violence and stigma just for being who we are. From name-calling and bullying, to being denied a job or appropriate healthcare, the range of unequal treatment can be extensive and damaging. In fact, it can be life-threatening.

In 72 countries same-sex sexual activity is a crime. In Chechnya, Russia, gay and lesbian people are abducted, tortured and murdered in a state-sponsored campaign. At home in Australia, kids and adults are still being subjected to harmful conversion therapy and other sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts that result in long-lasting negative effects.

That’s why Amnesty International groups on the Sunshine Coast are raising awareness about IDAHOBIT and human rights. It is a time to recommit to our values of freedom, equality and justice, and take real action to end discrimination and stigma.

This year’s theme for IDAHOBIT was “Justice and Protection for all”: a central value to Amnesty International, a movement that fights for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be upheld and respected for all people. To mark this day, Amnesty International groups all over the world, including here on the Sunshine Coast, began and continued campaigning for justice for murdered LGBTQI human rights defenders, Marielle Franco and Zak Kostopoulos.

Marielle Franco was City Councillor of the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A black bisexual woman, human rights defender and young mother who grew up in the favelas, Marielle completed her Master’s degree and went on to become a member of Rio de Janeiro’s State Human Rights Commission in 2006. After being elected to public office in 2016, Marielle was appointed President of the Women Commission and backed many bills relating to women’s rights. One of the first bills she put forward was to recognise IDAHOBIT in Rio de Janeiro’s official calendar. Marielle dedicated her life to supporting her community and advancing the rights of women and LGBTQI people, but because of her political activism, she was shot dead in a targeted drive-by shooting on 14 March 2018. Available information reveals that some level of participation of state agents was necessary for this carefully planned crime to happen.

Zak Kostopoulo was a queer activist in Greece who died on 21 September 2018 following a vicious assault at a jewellery store in downtown Athens. Also known by his drag stage name Zackie Oh, he was a tireless defender of the rights of LGBTI people and HIV-positive persons. Zak was brutally kicked on the head, neck and other parts of his body by two men in the shop, as well as police officers who violently handcuffed him while injured and unconscious. Forensic reports show Zak died from the numerous injuries he sustained. Zak’s tragic death sparked outrage across Europe and the initial reporting of the case revealed the deep prejudice that exists in parts of society. Stigmatising remarks and false reports circulated by media that detracted from the brutal attack were simply not supported by the forensic evidence. This stigma and discrimination must not be tolerated. Together, we can get justice for Zak, Marielle and their loved ones.

Amnesty International supporters are uniting to call on the Brazilian authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for Marielle, protection for her family and witnesses to the crime, and a public condemnation of threats and attacks against human rights defenders. Together we are also calling on the Greek authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure the perpetrators of the attack against Zak are held to account in fair trial proceedings, that justice is delivered in the wake of his death, and that investigations must look into whether hate, discrimination or any other prejudice motivated the attack.

Amnesty International believes in a world where people everywhere stand against injustice anywhere. Our action groups advocate for the human rights of people at home and abroad, to help create a world where human rights are universal. To join Amnesty Sunshine Coast in standing up for justice and protection, head to our Facebook page to sign the online petitions and sign up to our group. https://www.facebook.com/amnestyinternationalsunshinecoast/

"Only when the last prisoner of conscience has been freed, when the last torture chamber has been closed, when the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a reality for the world’s people, will our work be done."

Peter Benenson, Amnesty International founder