NGOs criticize Paraguayan Ombudsman’s messages on trans persons

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Human Rights Coordinator of Paraguay (Codehupy) asked the ombudsman to rectify some messages about trans people that, according to this network of NGOs, go against “his Constitutional duty” to “defend and promote the human rights of all people without discrimination”.

The organization reported Thursday in a statement that Miguel Godoy’s statements on social networks were subscribed to the profile of the Paraguayan ombudsman and, based on that responsibility, also requested that training courses on gender and sexual diversity policies be given in the Ombudsman’s Office.

According to the statement, Godoy disseminated on social networks expressions related to gender policies such as “You are born a man if you can you want to be a woman or vice versa”; “We must heal the soul if we want a healthy body” or “We have defied the God of Israel”.

“Such statements are in direct conflict with the rights of persons who are subject to protection by all state agencies. In particular, the role entrusted to you is not only to defend them but to promote them,” said Codehupy.

Likewise, the organization, which brings together 36 groups for the defense and promotion of human rights, pointed out that “trans persons are subjects of rights and that, in addition, they must be especially protected in a country where hate crimes against the population have been recorded”.

“The rights of people are not subject to deliberation, and it is inconceivable that the Ombudsman points to the legitimate exercise of these rights as causes for a kind of punishment comparable to corruption,” expressed Codehupy.

“The State and you, with a position that explicitly calls you to defend human rights, are called to be clear in your statements and conduct. Measures must also be applied to question and eradicate socio-cultural patterns that favor discrimination”.

The Codehupy also recalled that under Godoy’s administration, the Ombudsman’s Office was downgraded by the international body that monitors the fulfillment of the institution’s functions.

The Codehupy assured that this occurred because of “non-compliance with international standards and lack of promotion of compliance with international recommendations on human rights, among others”.