ASEAN SOGI Caucus: We are ASEAN
Statement of the ASEAN SOGI Caucus regarding the recent ACSC/APF event in Brunei where certain sectors were prevented to join the civil society event.

We, theASEAN SOGI Caucus[i] are deeplyoutraged and concerned by the decision of the National Organizing Committee(NOC) of Brunei Darussalam‘s to restrict discussions and limit civil societyspaces at the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ ASEAN People’s Forum 2013(ASCS/APF) for selective groups of people whose opinions and views are notaligned with the state’s views, namely sexual orientation and gender identityand gender expression (SOGIE), sex work, sexual and reproductive health rights.

We aredisappointed that even in spaces that are meant to foster and uphold democracyand human rights principles by and for civil society organizations, specificsectors of society are being discriminated against and are restricted.

People ofdiverse sexual orientation and gender identity as well as sex workers andadvocates of sexual and reproductive rights are banned and given conditionsfrom organizing educational workshops that promote understanding and addressthe human rights violations that we are subjected to because of our identityand orientation.

Westrongly believe that the invisible hand of the state in policing civil societyspaces is highly unacceptable, and if such policing continues the ASCS/APF willno longer be a relevant space for civil society. We strongly urge the ACSC/APFto immediately address and correct this matter.

We are at the stage in our struggle for equality and respect that wewill not accept discrimination, abuse and violence or state sanction as a partof our existence by the denial of our rights and our humanity.
It is in this spirit of pride and dignity that we are reclaiming ourrightful space in our respective countries and in our region, and we demand ourgovernments to:
1. Immediately repeal laws that directly andindirectly criminalize SOGI, recognizes LGBTIQ rights as human rights,and harmonizes national laws, policies and practices with the YogyakartaPrinciples.

2. Establish national level mechanisms andreview existing regional human rights instruments (e.g.AICHR, ACWC) to include the promotion and protection of the equal rights of allpeople regardless of SOGI with the active engagement of the LGBTIQ community.

3. Depathologize SOGI and promote psychologicalwell being of people of Diverse SOGI in accordance with the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) standards, and ensure equal access to health andsocial services.

We urgethe ACSC/APF 2013 to correct and apologize for the discriminatory andregressive action that grossly disrespected our basic human rights as membersof the ASEAN community. We call on members of society to support our call for aTRULY INCLUSIVE and a REAL ACSC/APF that protects and promotes the human rightsof ASEAN peoples regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity as wellas socio-economic background.
[i] The ASEAN Sexual Orientation andGender Identity Caucus or known as “ASEAN SOGI Caucus” is a network of people who respect and promote the human rights of people regardless of sexualorientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE)

ASEAN SOGI Caucus – aseansogicaucus@gmail.com

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