Report documents anti-LGBT persecution, torture in Guatemala

Persistent human rights violations are taking place against LGBT people in Guatemala, including, in some instances, state-sanctioned killings, according to a new report from watchdog organizations.

Organización Trans Reinas de la Noche, Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Personas Trans, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Committee, the Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights and the George Washington University Law School International Human Rights Clinic to the United Nations Human Rights Committee released the report.

The groups documented:

• Individuals in Guatemala are subject to discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity by both state and non-state “actors.”

• There are persistent violations of the right to life of LGBT people in Guatemala on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Transgender women are particularly at risk.

• The Guatemalan government fails to adequately prevent, investigate and prosecute incidents of gender-based violence and killings.

• LGBT people suffer cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, including a constant threat of violence that amounts to torture, forced disappearances, sexual violence in detention centers and non-consensual medical testing.

• LGBT people in Guatemala are denied the right to a fair trial. Judges may refuse to hear controversial cases concerning rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity because they fear public reprisal.

• The Guatemalan government refuses to recognize the gender identity of transgender persons.

• Human rights defenders who advocate for the rights of LGBT people in Guatemala are subject to threats, harassment and physical violence.

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