Curtain Raiser: Conference on Human Rights of LGBTQI: Challenges and Way Forward at NLU, Bengaluru on 26th February, 2020

New Delhi, 24th February, 2020

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, is organizing a day-long conference on ‘Human Rights of LGBTQI: Challenges and Way Forward’ on 26th February, 2020. The conference will be held at National Law School of India University, Bengaluru. Mr. Justice H.L. Dattu, Chairperson, NHRC will inaugurate the conference in the presence of NHRC Member Mrs. Jyotika Kalra, Joint Secretary, NHRC Mrs. Anita Sinha and senior functionaries of NHRC and NLU.

The main objectives of the conference are to deliberate and document the issues and challenges faced by the community in accessing their basic rights, to review the initiatives and efforts made by the state governments for the protection and promotion of human rights of LGBTQI community, and to arrive at recommendations and suggestions emanating from the deliberation for the betterment of the community. The participants include representatives from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, concerned departments of the State Governments/UTs of South region, SHRCs and Police Departments. Legal professionals, health professionals, representation from the LGBTQI community, students, activists, academicians and NGOs working for the cause of the LGBTQI community will also be attending the conference.

Technical sessions of the conference include presentations by various government representatives and panel discussions focusing broadly on issues of identity and self- recognition of gender, anti –discrimination, socio economic rights- health care, partnership, education and employment and, adoption and surrogacy.

The NHRC constituted a core group on LGBTI in 2018 to meet its obligations under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Acts, 1993. Two meetings of the core group have been held since and various issues pertaining to the human rights violations of LGBTI persons like discrimination in employment opportunities, the challenges faced by them in everyday life, and policies drafted by the government have been discussed. The meetings of the core group also provide a platform for the LGBTI people to present their grievances, review legislations and suggest policy interventions required to be taken for better protection and promotion of their rights.

Therefore, this conference is another step in the Commission’s endeavor to raise awareness and protect human rights of members of the LGBTQI community.

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