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LGBTQ+ Rights in Saudi Arabia
7
Around the globe, millions of
people have been fighting homophobic laws and practices so they can have their rights.
How unfair is it that they have to fight for their rights because of who they love?
LGBTQ+ Rights in Saudi Arabia
1. 72 countries forbid private & consensual same-gender activity.
2. 11 countries implement the death penalty for private & consensual same-gender activity.
3. 15 countries criminalize transgender people and trans expression.
Did You Know?
The Issue
Saudi Arabia is one of the worst countries to be in if you are a member of the LGBTQ community. In fact, according to Forbes, Saudi Arabia is ranked the 4th most dangerous country for LGBT to travel to.
The Issue
Laws
Saudi Arabia has criminalized:
- LGBTQ+ identifying people
- Intimacy between men
- Intimacy between women
- Gender identity and expression of transgender people
Consequences of breaking these laws include:
- Large fines
- Whippings
- Floggings
- Prison sentences
- Chemical castrations
- Death Penalty
Consequences
Real-life Incidents
Real-life incidents:
- In April 2000, 9 men were found dressing in women’s clothing and were each sentenced to more than 2000 lashings and at least 5 years in prison
- In December 2001, 3 gay men were beheaded for “seducing other men”
- In March 2010, a gay man was sentenced to a year of jail, fined 1330 SAR (Saudi riyal, their currency), and lashed 1000 times for being in a gay-themed video
- In May 2010, the Saudi government banned lesbians and gays from being hired/recruited for work.
- On Feb 28, 2017, two transgender people were arrested for cross-dressing, put into sacks, and beaten until they died
Human Rights Violations
Human Rights Violations
The laws, concequences, and examples listed were all violations of many human rights according to both the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Rights in the Charter that Saudi Arabia has violated:
- 2. Freedom of thought, belief, and expression
- 7. Right to life, liberty, and security
- 9. Right to not be arbitrarily detained
- 12. Right to not be treated or punished cruelly
- 15. Everyone is equal under the law and should not be discriminated against for any reason
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Rights in the Declaration that have been violated:
- 2. Don’t discriminate
- 3. The right to life
- 5. No torture
- 9. No unfair detainment
- 12. The right to privacy
- 16. Marriage and family
- 19. Freedom of expression
Arc International
Arvind Narrain, Director of Research and Practice
Arc International
Kim Vance-Mubanga, Executive Director
Arc International is an NGO that brings awareness and fights for the rights of the LGBTQ community. It started its work in Canada, in 2003. Their first project brought Brazilian sexual orientation and human rights issues to the UN. From there, they went to inform people of sexual orientation and gender identity issues worldwide. They and the UN released the first-ever statement regarding gender identity. They became the representatives of the LGBT community in the UN's work. They also helped start, plan, and implement the Jogjakarta Principles.
Mariana Winocur, Communications Officer
How Can We Help?
How Can We Help?
It's not easy to change laws and practices on our own. However, if we work together, we can make a difference.
- Spread the word; inform others
- Social media eg. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
- Sign petitions
- Change.org
- Confront homophobia
- Educate yourself
https://www.change.org/p/stop-executions-or-beheading-death-penalty-in-saudi-arabia - Link to a petition to stop the death penalty in Saudi Arabia