The Commission, as Gender and Development Ombud, expresses serious concern over the current setbacks in the deliberation of the SOGIE Equality bills in the 19th Congress.

For the past 23 years, the Commission has stood with SOGIE Equality champions in stressing the urgency of passing a measure that prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics. We have stressed that the passage of the law complies with our international human rights obligations and we have presented accounts of discrimination against LGBTQI to support our position. Like many of the equality champions and advocates, it is our appeal that the 19th Congress will be the Congress that we pass the SOGIE Equality Law. We are hopeful that these current setbacks do not derail further consideration of this urgent measure.

As Gender Ombud, and as a National Human Rights Institution, we call on our lawmakers to ensure the continued deliberation of the SOGIE Equality Bills in both houses of Congress. While the Commission respects the internal rules of Congress and supports the call to ensure that all stakeholders are heard on this important measure, the same cannot be used to derail and stop considerations of the measure altogether. We commend the Committee on Women and Gender Equality in the House for its continuous hearings on the measure, and we look forward that the Senate version will resume holding its hearings soon. We urge our legislators to hear the most vulnerable and marginalized and to make a stand on the side of equality and dignity for all, regardless of SOGIESC. ###