The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has asked the government to reconsider its stand against the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
In a press statement, the CHR said that if the SOGIE Equality Bill becomes a law, it will guarantee that every individual will be treated equally and be free from threats or harm.
It said it was Justice Secretary Jesus C. Remulla, head the delegation to the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Philippines at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), who announced the outright rejection by the Philippine government of the recommendation on the passage of the SOGIE Bill.
It said that Remulla pointed out that the SOGIE Bill “is not acceptable” in the country since the Philippines is pre-dominantly Catholic.
However, the CHR said it hopes the government will reconsider its decision as it raised several reasons that would support the SOGIE Bill.
"We urge the Philippine government to reexamine this position given that the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to value the dignity of every human person and thereby guarantee full respect for human rights (Article II, Section 11), as well as to provide to all persons the equal protection of laws (Article III, Section 1)," the CHR said.
It pointed out that the rights to equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation are also entrenched in international human rights obligations in which the Philippines is a State party.
To help the government understand the importance of the SOGIE Bill, the CHR expressed willingness to conduct a dialogue so that any misconceptions behind the said bill and other similar proposals will be addressed.
"To note, the present version of the bill does not contain any provision on same-sex civil unions," the CHR explained.
It said “the bill protects all and every person who may be discriminated for their perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and expression."
"It does not grant special rights to the LGBTQI community," the CHR said. It added that the bill only seeks to ensure that the LGBTQI community will get to enjoy the same rights as other members of society.
The CHR called on the government to "keep an open mind" on the recommendations of the United Nations and reminded officials that the country will ultimately be judged and viewed based on how it treats the weak, vulnerable, and marginalized.
TAGS: #CHR #SOGIE Bill #UNHCR