The Diplomat
Colombia and Spain released a declaration this Wednesday in support of freedom of expression and assembly for LGBTI people and against legislative changes that, inspired by Russian laws, restrict the rights of this group.
The manifesto was signed by both countries in their capacity as co-chairs of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), an international coalition of states for equal rights for this group that brings together 44 member states, intergovernmental organizations, and more than 100 civil society organizations, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two co-chairs of the EQC, which in Spain’s case is held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, reject in the declaration the legislative changes that restrict the public expression of LGBTI people and prohibit the public visibility of this group and their right to assembly and demonstration, inspired by Russian laws against LGBTI people.
Furthermore, they reject legislative attempts that, under the pretext of protecting children and adolescents, reinforce negative stereotypes against LGBTI people, prohibiting their participation in public life or censoring cultural expressions such as books or films that depict LGBTI people.
Therefore, they call on international and regional organizations and states to reject these laws because they violate the equal rights of LGBTI people.
The declaration issued by the IDC Co-Presidents (Colombia and Spain) is supported by the IDC Co-Presidents from civil society (Caribe Afirmativo and Fundación Triángulo).