We, more than 1,300 delegates at the 2011 ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ ASEAN Peoples’ Forum, representing various civil society organizations and , movements of workers from rural and urban sectors as well as migrant sector, peasants and farmers, women, children, youth, the elderly, people with disabilities, people affected by leprosy, urban poor, indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, traditional fishers, refugees, stateless persons, people in exile, victims of human rights violations, domestic workers, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender/Transsexual Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ), sex workers, women in prostitution , drug users, people living with HIV/AIDS, human rights defenders and other vulnerable groups, gathered together in Jakarta, Indonesia, 3-5 May 2011 to discuss the main concerns confronting the peoples of ASEAN and developing key proposals for the 18th ASEAN Summit.
We reaffirm the fundamental principles of democracy and rule of law, human rights and dignity, good governance, the best interests of the child, meaningful and substantive peoples’ participation, and sustainable development in the pursuit of economic, social, gender and ecological justice so as to bring peace and prosperity to the ASEAN region.
Human conditions and issues confronting the peoples cut across all current pillars of the ASEAN. ASEAN governments must adopt a more holistic approach with regards to development, equal and just treatment of the peoples, and harmonize its policies and practices of all its pillars. Furthermore, the principle of free, prior and informed consent of for all peoples, especially indigenous peoples must be pursued in the fulfilment of all political, economic and social agreements under the ASEAN. The ASEAN must ensure that its development initiatives do not further aggravate environmental hazards, destruction of traditional community coastal area lands and forest and global warming.
Below is an excerpt of the statement referring to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). To read the entire statement, download by clicking the attachment at the foot of this page.
59. ASEAN member states must repeal all laws that directly and indirectly criminalize sexual orientation and gender identities (SOGI), recognize LGBTIQ rights as human rights and harmonize national laws, policies and practices with the Yogyakarta Principles.
60. ASEAN member states must establish national level mechanisms and review existing regional human rights instruments (e.g. AICHR, ACWC) to include the promotion of the equal rights of all people regardless of SOGI with the active engagement of the LGBTIQ community.
61. ASEAN member states must depathologize SOGI and promote psycho-social well being of people in diverse SOGI in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, and ensure equal access to health and social services.