Since its formation in 2007, APCOM has been calling for the removal of punitive and discriminatory laws, including the criminalization of same-sex relations and gender identity and/or expression.
In Asia and the Pacific region, we have seen positive efforts in terms of decriminalisation of same-sex sexual acts in India (2018), Bhutan (2021), Singapore (2022) and most recently Cook Islands (2023). However, seventeen countries still have colonial laws prohibiting consensual sex between men.
The prohibition impedes the HIV response in Asia and the Pacific including government’s leadership and investment into modernizing and scaling up HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services; leveraging innovative solutions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis and virtual interventions; removing barriers to accessing services; prioritizing key populations particularly young people; and also, empowering community leadership and community-led response.
Implementing legal and policy reforms and decriminalisation will address the inequalities and the epidemic trends affecting progress in the HIV response in Asia and the Pacific, in particular the young people (aged 15-24) and their sexual partners that is driving the HIV infections in the region.
As part of the celebration of Zero Discrimination Day, a Day that is dedicated to the right of everyone to live a full and productive life, and live it with dignity and free from discrimination — this session the eminent speakers share strategies and the need to decriminalization and reminded us to be vigilant, constructive, rational, engaging and empathetic at the same time.
Speakers:
His Excellency Namgay Tshering, Minister of Finance, The Royal Government of Bhutan:
Namgay Tshering is Bhutan’s third democratically elected minister of finance, who formally took charge of the Ministry on 7th November 2018. He is also a member of the National Assembly of Bhutan. Prior to joining politics, his Excellency Lyonpo served as the project coordinator of the World Bank and Global Fund Project and as the planning officer and program manager in the Ministry of Health.
The Hon. Michael Kirby, APCOM LGBTQI human rights ambassador:
Michael Kirby is an international jurist, educator and former judge. He served as a deputy president of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission (1975-83); chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission (1975-84); judge of the Federal Court of Australia (1983-4); president of the New South Wales Court of Appeal (1984-96); president of the Court of Appeal of Solomon Islands (1995-96) and justice of the High Court of Australia (1996-2009).
Professor Emeritus Vitit Muntarbhorn, Former UN independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity and member of the UN Commissions of Inquiry on human rights:
Vitit Muntarbhorn was the former UN independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity and member of the UN Commissions of Inquiry on human rights. In 2021, he was appointed as UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia by the UN Human Rights Council. He is the recipient of various awards, including the 2004 UNESCO Human Rights Education Prize
Eamonn Murphy, Director, UNAIDS regional support teams for Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions:
He leads UNAIDS’ efforts in promoting an expanded and integrated United Nations system response to HIV at the country and regional levels for Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions. He provides the strategic direction, advocacy, coordination, and technical support needed to catalyse and connect leadership from governments, communities and key partners to deliver life-saving HIV services.
About APCOM
APCOM works to improve the health, rights, and well-being of the diverse and dynamic communities that we serve. APCOM wants a world where people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics can fully participate in and achieve sustainable development in all aspects of their health, rights and wellbeing.Celebrating its 18th anniversary this year, and recently launching its new strategic plan Relentless, APCOM is a regional organisation covering Asia and the Pacific region based in Bangkok, Thailand. Our work centers on Advocacy & Research, Education & Innovation, and Community Engagement & Empowerment.
