LGL‘s Representative Participates at the Equal Rights Coalition Conference in Canada

Ministers and representatives of the member countries of the Equal Rights Coalition have met in a global conference in Vancouver, Canada. In the conference, spanning from the 5th of August to the 7th of August, the representatives have pledged to build a world where no one is left behind – regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.

Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director of the National LGBT* rights organization LGL, represented the organization during the conference. The Coalition had been formed in Montevideo, Uruguay in July 2016, when it was witnessed that LGBTI people are facing violence and violations of their rights. Lithuania has recently became a member of the Coalition.

The countries have agreed to a multitude of commitments:

  • To advocate for stronger protections for the rights of LGBTI people through diplomatic
    channels
  • To consult with LGBTI civil society organizations on Sustainable Development
    strategies.
  • To increase the quantity and quality of assistance dedicated to protecting and
    promoting human rights and inclusive development needs of LGBTI individuals,
    communities and organizations.
  • To share practices among governments and legislators to promote the de-
    criminalization of same-sex conduct and transgender identity and create mean of
    protection against discrimination.
  • To continue developing supportive laws and enabling public policies that are consistent
    with international laws and standards of the human rights and inclusive development
    of LGBTI people.

The Coalition pledged to meet periodically over the next two years to continue with the progress of their commitments. Representatives of Lithuania and other countries have signed this declaration on 7th August, 2018.

Canada2The visit of Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director of the National LGBT rights organization LGL, at Canada was kindly supported by the Government of Canada and the Embassy of Canada to Lithuania.