Declaration of Montreal

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For other similarly named texts, see Declaration of Montreal (disambiguation).
Martina Navratilova and Mark Tewksbury read the Declaration of Montreal at the opening ceremonies of the World Outgames.
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The Declaration of Montreal on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Human Rights is a document adopted in

LGBT movement
, it will ultimately be submitted to the United Nations.

Background

The Conference aimed to raise the

LGBT rights issues. It was held immediately prior to the Outgames themselves and attended by almost 2000 delegates and 600 conference speakers from across the world, making it the largest LGBT rights conference ever held.[1] A number of international experts took part including distinguished jurists, academics, church leaders and human rights activists.[2] Among them was Joke Swiebel a former member of the European Parliament, who served as one of the primary drafters of the Declaration.[3][4]: 87  The delegates unanimously approved the Declaration.[2]

Among the keynote speakers to the Conference were:[5]

The Declaration aims to address UN failings in consistently applying its

punishable by death in nine jurisdictions:[7] Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen.[8] They remain illegal in 72 countries,[9] and are in many cases punishable by imprisonment or corporal punishment
.

Essential rights

The Convention identifies several areas in which action needs to be taken to uphold the essential rights of LGBT people: "A world where LGBT rights are systematically violated, is a world where nobody can feel safe and free" referring to the principle of World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna affirming that "All human rights are universal, indivisible, and interdependent and interrelated."[10]

Protection against state and private violence

The declaration calls for an end to the death penalty and all

hate crimes
. Forced marriages to persons of the opposite sex are identified as particular human rights violations to be combated.

Finally, violence against

The Yogyakarta Principles
.

Freedom of expression, assembly and association

Laws which discriminate against LGBT people, such as bans of

pride marches, LGBT journalism and registration of non-governmental organisations, are identified as a major stumbling blocks in campaigning for LGBT rights issues. The world community is therefore called upon to guarantee such rights and prevent their being denied by hostile public authorities.[11]

In addition, the international community is asked to take positive steps in promoting such rights. To this end, the Declaration calls for international development aid packages to be conditional on improvements in respecting human rights, including those of LGBT people. Financial aid is sought for groups campaigning for LGBT rights in areas where such people still fear for their lives or personal safety.[9]

Freedom to engage in consensual same-sex sexual activity

The repeal of all laws preventing consensual same-sex activity is called for.[9]

Freedom from discrimination

LGBT people face discrimination in many aspects of their lives. Governments are called upon to take positive actions to promote LGBT rights to freedom from discrimination in the following areas:

Asylum and immigration rights

The

right to asylum for those fleeing persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity. All countries are called upon to do the same. In addition, rights of residence for foreign partners are demanded to be free from discrimination against LGBT people.[10]

Family rights

Families are stated to be the most important part of many people's lives. The Declaration requires marriages to be opened up to

adoptions by LGBT people.[12]

Education healthcare, media and employment

In education, classes on LGBT human rights are sought and schools are required to take action against

sex reassignment surgery is expected to be provided to the same extent that it is for other medically necessary treatments. Finally, religious groups are encouraged to be tolerant towards LGBT people.[12]

Employment

The Declaration calls for the development of programmes to promote fair chances in employment and business for LGBT people for their economic independence and

discrimination and in promoting the equality and safety of LGBT people in public sector workplaces and trade unions.[12]

Global issues in promoting LGBT rights

To promote LGBT rights globally, the Declaration requires the international community to engage in a worldwide information campaign and calls upon like-minded NGOs and governments to assist in preparing and running such a campaign. Part of this campaign would be to provide education about the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS among LGBT people and governments are generally encouraged to include LGBT people in their fight against HIV and AIDS.[10]

The failure of the United Nations to recognise LGBT rights as human rights is condemned, despite the case law

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.[13]

Implementation

The

New Democratic Party became the first political party to do so, by a unanimous vote of its federal convention on September 10, 2006.[15] Accordingly, the NDP's critic for LGBT rights, Bill Siksay, presented a motion in the House of Commons of Canada calling on the Canadian government to abide by the Declaration on September 20, 2006.[16]

The Declaration has also been adopted by the

City councils of:[17]

See also

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

References

  1. ^ Vallée, Pierre (2006-07-15). "La Conférence veut laisser son empreinte: La Déclaration de Montréal fera état des griefs et revendications de la communauté internationale des LGBT". Le devoir, 1910– (Montréal) (Cahier F): F6 – via BAnQ Numérique.
  2. ^ a b "Gay Games Montreal seen as 1st Class World Success". A2Mediagroup.com. 2006-08-08. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
  3. ^ "Drs. J. (Joke) Swiebel" (in Dutch). Leiden, Netherlands: Parlementair Documentatie Centrum. 2020. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  4. ISBN 978-1-78093-557-7
    .
  5. ^ "International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, and the First World Outgames". More Light Presbyterians. 2006-08-13. Archived from the original on 2007-04-20. Retrieved 2007-01-29.
  6. ^ "L'ONU interpellée". Radio-Canada. 2006-07-28. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  7. ^ a b Declaration of Montreal, 1. (a)
  8. ^ "The Death Penalty for Homosexual Acts". ILGA. 2000-07-31. Archived from the original on 2007-03-01. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
  9. ^ a b c d Declaration of Montreal, 1. (c)
  10. ^ a b c d Declaration of Montreal, 2.
  11. ^ Declaration of Montreal, 1. (b)
  12. ^ a b c Declaration of Montreal, 4. (b)
  13. ^ Declaration of Montreal, 5.
  14. ^ "Declaration of Montreal endorsed by Ville-Marie Borough!". fugues.com. 2006-08-02. Retrieved 2007-01-29.
  15. ^ "NDP formally adopts Declaration of Montreal on LGBT rights". billsiksay.ca. 2006-09-11. Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
  16. ^ "Siksay calls for LGBT rights to be adopted". New Democratic Party. 2006-09-21. Archived from the original on 2007-01-18. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
  17. ^ "Declaration of Montreal – Support, endorsements etc". Declaration of Montreal website. 2006-12-08. Archived from the original on 2007-02-18. Retrieved 2007-01-29.

External links

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