Varney Kiazolu
Monrovia-The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTI persons, marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) is observed on 17 May and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBTQ rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBTQ rights work worldwide. By 2016, the commemorations had taken place in over 130 countries.
In a declaration made on behalf of the EU, the High Representative and Vice President of the Commission, Kaja Kalla, emphasised that “discrimination and harassment against LGBTI persons have no place anywhere in the world,” calling for universal respect for the fundamental values of equality, freedom, dignity, and justice.
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” the statement read. “LGBTI persons have the same human rights as all individuals, including freedom from discrimination,” she said.
Despite progress in some parts of the world, Madame Kalla expressed deep concern over the continued use of sexual orientation and gender identity to justify human rights violations. The statement noted that LGBTI individuals continue to be disproportionately affected by violence, stigma, and disinformation, and it condemned all forms of hate speech and hate crimes, both online and offline.
The statement from the EU High Representative comes against a wave of anti-LGBT laws and violence against a community that remains hidden underground across the continent and is dying to be heard.
In Liberia, reports from bilateral partners recorded instances of assault, harassment, and hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community.
In July 2024, Rep. Johnson N. Williams introduced a Bill that could see LGBTQ+ person facing lifetime imprisonment or ten years imprison if caught in same sex sexual acts. The Bill, known as the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, caused a panic in Liberia’s LGBTQ+ community and has been met with widespread condemnation.
In May 2023, Dominic Bropleh (name changed to protect his identity) accused FHI360 of outing his health status when the organization plastered his face on flyers across the country as an HIV+ individual.
In May 2021, members of a community watch team beat three men on suspicion that they were gay in the Gobachop community of Paynesville. According to two of the survivors, the community watch team members threatened and assaulted them, rendering one of their friends unconscious.
In June 2021, Nuchie Michael, a teenager and a student at the St. Matthew United Methodist School in New Kru Town was expelled for cross-dressing.
In 2020, Cheeseman Cole, a disgraced ex-soldier from the Armed Forces of Liberia was arrested for reportedly brutalizing 27 men suspected of being gay.
In November 2019, partygoers were stoned and beaten over suspicions they were attending a gay wedding at an event hosted by Population Services International (PSI).
In September 2018, invitees at a PSI event in Sinkor were attacked and severely brutalized. The LGBT community faces worse discrimination as they are often blamed by religious leaders for spreading deadly diseases in the country.
Identifying as gay is not illegal in Liberia. But it could spur violent attacks against a person that does so. In May 2020, fashion model Tarus Cole fled the country over remarks that ‘99% of Liberian men are gay.’
The EU High Representative also criticised laws in some countries, including Liberia, that criminalise consensual same-sex conduct, saying such laws contravene international human rights standards.
Liberian law criminalizes same-sex sexual acts. Articles 14.74, 14.79 and 50.7 [of the Penal Code of 1976] consider “voluntary sodomy” as a first-degree misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to one-year imprisonment. There has been no publicized case in recent years. But Liberian’s gay community says harassment and discrimination are widespread.
“We call on all governments to repeal discriminatory legislation, tackle hate crimes and hate speech, prevent violence, and address systemic biases. Every person deserves to live free, equal, and with dignity. Human rights are for all of us — whoever we are, wherever we live, whomever we love.”
However, she highlighted recent progress, noting that two countries decriminalised same-sex relations in the past year and others have taken steps to strengthen protections for LGBTI persons.
Inclusive policies matter, the EU stressed, pledging to intensify efforts to combat discrimination on multiple and intersecting grounds, including sex, race, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. The European Commission is expected to unveil an updated LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, which will include proposals to ban so-called conversion practices and address hate-motivated harassment and violence, especially online.
“We call on all governments to repeal discriminatory legislation, tackle hate crimes and hate speech, prevent violence, and address systemic biases. Every person deserves to live free, equal, and with dignity. Human rights are for all of us — whoever we are, wherever we live, whomever we love.”
This story has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents are the sole responsibility of journalRAGE and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.