International human rights experts have come together to call for nations, including those in the Caribbean, to ensure that members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse (LGBT) community are treated with dignity and protected from violence.

In a message ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) tomorrow (May 17), the group, including representatives from the United Nations, urged states to tackle the root causes of forced displacement around the planet.

“Persecution from State and non-State actors, as well as socio-economic exclusion fuelled by stigma, discrimination, armed conflict, natural disasters, and climate change force many persons of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) to flee their homes in search of a safe environment where they can live authentically and fully exercise their rights,” they said.

“Among the 84 million people who are currently forcibly displaced worldwide, LGBT persons are among the most vulnerable and marginalised.”

NO ACCURATE DATA AVAILABLE

The group pointed out that there was so far no accurate data on the number of members of the LGBT community who have been forcibly displaced globally and that many reside in countries that do not provide strong human rights protections or that actively discriminate at the structural and institutional level on the basis of SOGI.

“The number of LGBT people in forced displacement is likely to increase in coming years, due to factors such as adverse climate impacts and intensifying socioeconomic fragility,” the experts noted.

They added that the structural vulnerabilities that LGBT persons face are intensified by their situation as migrants, asylum seekers, refugees or internally displaced persons.

“They may be fleeing persecution linked specifically to their SOGI or other additional factors, such as their ethnicity, nationality, political opinions, faith or these combined. These intersectional forms of social stigma and institutionalised exclusion, leave LGBT persons without adequate access to protection and justice from the patterns of violence that compelled them to seek safety in the first place and that are often reproduced in displacement settings.”

According to the experts, with the number of displaced persons continuing to rise, states, businesses, and humanitarian and civil society organisations must invest in developing human rights-based policies and programmes that take into full account the intersectional dimensions of forced displacement and sexual orientation and gender identity, fostering stronger collaboration and coordination among all actors responsible for the protection of displaced LGBT individuals.

“Some of the immediate issues that need to be addressed are: establishing programmes that take into consideration the specific needs of displaced LGBT persons across all stages of their journey; improving reception conditions including for groups with special needs, like older persons and persons with disabilities, and ensuring safe accommodation and adequate access to health care services; ensuring adequate access to protection, asylum and refugee status determination; facilitating durable solutions of their choice, including options for resettlement; and building a thorough evidence-based ethical data collection, management and reporting,” they said.

“Furthermore, all efforts must be made to involve them in the design, implementation and monitoring of programmes and policies that target them and that ultimately seek their protection, ensuring their enjoyment of their fundamental rights, and assistance.”