17 July 2023
Stop the attacks against the LGBTQIA+ community in Indonesia!
The Movement on Alternatives and Solidarity in Southeast Asia (MASSA), a regional coalition of progressive organizations dedicated to promoting alternative regionalism in Southeast Asia and neighboring countries in the Pacific Islands, Northeast India, and Southwest China, expresses its unwavering support for the ASEAN Queer Advocacy Week (AAW) and condemns the incidents and security threats that have led to its postponement. We stand together in the pursuit of alternative regionalism and the protection of human rights for all individuals, including LGBTQIA+ communities.
The AAW is a vital civil society-led initiative that fosters dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among LGBTQIA+ activists across Southeast Asia and neighboring regions. It provides a platform for knowledge-sharing, advocacy, and collective action towards a more inclusive and progressive ASEAN community. MASSA recognizes the significance of the AAW in advancing the rights and dignity of marginalized communities and promoting alternative regionalism rooted in social justice, equality, and human rights.
We strongly condemn the discrimination, hate speech, and security threats faced by the AAW and the broader LGBTQIA+ community. The dissemination of disinformation, profiling, and online harassment undermines the principles of equality, freedom, and respect that we strive to uphold. Such acts hinder the progress of alternative regionalism and perpetuate social divisions and injustices. It is our collective responsibility to challenge discrimination and ensure the protection of the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.
We echo the calls of the
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus and urge all stakeholders to take immediate collective action. Governments and regional institutions, including ASEAN, must reaffirm their commitment to human rights, non-discrimination, and inclusivity, creating safe spaces for dialogue and engagement with marginalized groups. It is crucial for authorities to ensure the safety and security of LGBTQIA+ activists and individuals, protecting them from threats, discrimination, and violence.
Regional civil society organizations and progressive movements must unite, amplifying their voices and expressing unwavering solidarity with the AAW and LGBTQIA+ communities. Collaborative efforts should be strengthened to counter hate speech, disinformation, and discrimination, while promoting the values of inclusivity, respect, and human rights.
Donors and international supporters should continue providing financial and programmatic support to LGBTQIA+ organizations and movements, ensuring their sustainability and resilience.
Support should also be extended to organizations working on digital security, capacity-building, and legal aid to counter online harassment and threats faced by LGBTQIA+ activists. Together, through collective action, we can protect the rights and safety of LGBTQIA+ communities, foster inclusive dialogue, and advance alternative regionalism based on solidarity, equality, and mutual respect.
MASSA calls upon governments, regional institutions, civil society organizations, and international supporters to take decisive action to protect the rights and safety of LGBTQIA+ communities, promote inclusive dialogue, and foster alternative regionalism based on solidarity, equality, and mutual respect. Together, we can build a Southeast Asia and neighboring regions that celebrate diversity, champion human rights, and create a more just and inclusive future for all.
Source: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/india-escalated-repression-against-the-jagrit-adivasi-dalit-sangathan