How to Report Human Rights Violations Faced by LGBTIQ People to National Human Rights Institutions in South Asia

Like all people, if LGBTIQ people are to achieve wellbeing and be respected and given worth in society they need to be assured of human rights and protections. Unfortunately, experience shows that these rights are, all too often, unavailable for many LGBTIQ people due to criminal laws in most of South Asia that punish same-sex sexual conduct, and give powers to the police to threaten and arrest transgender people for causing 'public nuisance'. LGBTIQ people are often discriminated against for who they are. This happens in their homes, at schools or colleges, at workplaces, in housing, and while accessing healthcare.

National human rights institutions (NHRIs) can be approached by the victimised LGBTIQ people (or through their representatives) who seek to complain about rights violations that they have experienced. It is the duty of NHRIs to consider these complaints and respond to them by inquiring into their accuracy and substance, and investigating the violations that have been brought to their notice.