Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) welcomes the progress made in recent months with regard to the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex persons (LGBTI), particularly in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay.

With regard to non-discrimination within the family sphere, the IACHR welcomes Costa Rica’s decision in June 2016 to extend survivor’s benefits to widows or widowers of same-sex partners across all retirement systems under the national budget.

In terms of prevention of discrimination, the IACHR takes note of a circular (No. 003-2016) issued by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Justice and Peace declaring that ministry to be a space free of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The IACHR praised Peru’s decision to eliminate discrimination at its Ministry of Women, Guatemala’s “Strategy for Comprehensive and Differentiated Health Care for Trans Persons in Guatemala 2016-2030,” Chile’s “Organic Law of Identity and Civil Data Management,” Argentina’s decision to give scholarships to trans people in one province, Mexico City’s decision to hire at least one percent of trans people at governmental offices, Colombia’s constitutional court decision to allow LGBT marriage, Bolivia’s new gender identity law, Ecuador and Chile’s decision to allow amendment of identification documents for trans individuals, and Uruguay’s guide for health professionals to treat LGBT people with equality.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

 

Press Release by IACHR