MARUAH Singapore

Human Rights Are For Everyone = No Matter Who You Are Or Whom You Love
Today marks International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversity.

However, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex people face discrimination at almost every stage, and in every facet of life, just for being who they are. Bullying in school, discrimination at work, stigmatisation and violence, are all very much realities for those in the LGBTQ community.

The law has been slow to grant protection to individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and not enough amongst us, in society, are standing up to put an end to this discrimination. As a human rights organisation, MARUAH affirms the importance of recognising that human rights are universal and the need for anti-discrimination laws to safeguard the rights of at-risk communities.

Singapore remains at odds in its relationship with the LGBTQ community. Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises consensual gay sex continues to be in the books, yet every year the turnout at Pink Dot – the annual celebration of inclusivity, equality and freedom to love – gets bigger and bigger.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon raised a very important question in his statement in support of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. He asked:-
“Do we want to live in a world where love is targeted or where it is celebrated; where people live in fear or in dignity?”

At MARUAH we say “Dignity for All” because dignity ensures the fulfillment of human rights for each and every one of us, regardless of race, language, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

As we spend today reflecting on the need for dignity and equality for all, let us also consider how our actions as individuals can improve the situation.

Join us in speaking out against homophobia and transphobia, take the next minute or so to watch and share this video on how we as individuals can empower our communities and effect change.

Video Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O03jJ6JTyU

“The right to truth is both individual and collective. Each victim has the right to know the truth and how violations affect them. Informing broader society about fundamental freedoms and how they have been violated is a vital safeguard against abuses recurring.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Today is the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, an important occasion where we honour the memory of victims of gross human rights violations, promote the importance of the right to truth and justice and remember those who have devoted their lives to promoting and protecting human rights for all.
Read the rest of this entry »

A touchstone of any nation’s progress is surely the equal treatment of its different racial and ethnic groups. Today, 21^st March; International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, is a day to remind ourselves of Singapore’s commitment to this goal.

The emphasis this year is on “The Role of Leaders in Combating Racism and Racial Discrimination” and it is a call to reflection and action by leaders in the government and civil society.

Our leaders have been proactive in managing race relations in Singapore and a lot of good has been done to develop mechanisms to prevent discrimination and to foster better inter-racial ties. The 2010 report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance discussed the threats posed by racism and Singapore’s efforts at combating discrimination through laws, policies and institutions. We have for instance the Presidential Council for Minority Rights, a body whose main function is to ensure that the bills passed by Parliament do not discriminate against any racial or religious group. Read the rest of this entry »

“Countries with more gender equality have better economic growth. Companies with more women leaders perform better. Peace agreements that include women are more durable. Parliaments with more women enact more legislation on key social issues such as health, education, anti-discrimination and child support. The evidence is clear: equality for women means progress for all” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women, to take stock of the progress that has been made in equality, and to take the time to ask ourselves what more we can do.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations is “Equality For Women Is Progress For All” and it highlights the need for equality and the meaningful representation and participation of women in all aspects of society. It emphasizes how gender equality and the empowerment of women are essential to socio-economic development.

With the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) right around the corner, today is also a good opportunity to review the challenges and obstacles that we still face in implementing the MDGs for women and girls.

As we celebrate, MARUAH also asks that we as a society work towards closing the gender gap between men and women in the workplace and at home. We also hope that in 2014, choice becomes a key operative word in decisions on sexuality, decisions on sexual orientation, decisions on pregnancies and in making police reports on rapes. In all these situations, women and girls in particular, must be given the help, counselling and support that they need to make the choices that are right for them and their choices must be respected.

Let 2014 be a year of honouring and respecting women’s choices and of taking proactive steps to achieve equality for women and progress for all.