In November, SA took two steps on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. One is designed to protect LGBT people domestically, the other seeks to undermine their protection internationally. It is a familiar good cop, bad cop scenario, but SA plays both roles. First the good cop. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has released for public comment a draft bill that aims to combat hate crime including that made over sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status. It is an important step in the fight against violence. It is the same impetus that led SA to take the lead internationally when it introduced a resolution to the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 calling for an end to violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Now the bad cop. In June, SA failed to support a follow-up Human Rights Council resolution calling for the appointment of an independent expert to tackle violence and discrimination based o...
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