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Uh, [00:00:30] in English. I have simply welcomed everybody, not only to this meeting, but to this, to this agenda of human rights. This morning, I've also particularly welcomed the leaders here, and I don't see anybody who's not a leader. Actually, I have particularly welcomed visitors to a New Zealand. [00:01:00] I've acknowledged the organisers of this event both this particular forum, but also, uh, the out games in general and then in Maori fashion greeted everybody three times. It's a great pleasure for me to be here. Uh, I was delighted to take, uh, take up the invitation to to [00:01:30] be here. Of course. Uh, Grant Robertson could just as well have been doing this job as, uh, as MP for Wellington Central and the chair of our Rainbow Labour Caucus. However, he, in a funny swap, is visiting my my town of Nelson today. So we've, uh, swapped venues, but we're still waving the flag. It's a It's a great pleasure to to welcome our guests this morning. I'd like to, [00:02:00] uh, welcome Sunil Punt, Felicia Brown, Acton and Grace Poo at the table. And, uh, and I will do a little introduction of each of them as they come up to speak simply this morning, we're going to hear from each of these wonderful people we are going to hear about their experiences in building and promoting human rights for the LGBTI communities in their areas and regions. [00:02:30] And we will hear basically from them about anything they wish to talk to us about that is connected to the human rights agenda. But that will not be difficult for them. So it's a It's a particular pleasure to, uh, to welcome you all here today. The way it's going to run is that they will have about 20 minutes or so, uh, to speak 25 minutes. I will, uh I will tell them when they are within five minutes of of 25 and so they will need to wind up. We will hear from [00:03:00] all three of them and then have a time for questions and discussion. After that, there will be a couple of roving microphones at that time so that you will be able to make yourself heard. You only need to attract my attention. Don't worry. The men will get to speak as well. Um, it's with great pleasure that I I first of all introduce Sir Neil Punt Soil is a member of the Constituent [00:03:30] Assembly in the parliament of Nepal. He is the coordinator of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction. And if that weren't enough, he's also a member of the Fundamental Rights Committee of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal. He has a longstanding commitment to human rights. He's a signatory to the Yogyakarta principles and was the the petitioner of the right to the Supreme [00:04:00] Court against the government of Nepal, demanding protection and defence of equal rights of LGBTI in Nepal. And this resulted in that court making the historic decision to protect and defend LGBTI rights in recognition of his tireless work. He's been the recipient of several awards, including the Monette Howard's Award in 2009, the Felipe de Souza Award [00:04:30] in 2007, and The Utopia Award in 2005. He's the founder and executive director of the Blue Diamond Society, which is an NGO working on human rights, sexual health and HIV and a I DS. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Sunil to the podium, Kilda. [00:05:00] Thank you. Um, Madam chair. Also MP, um, distinguished speaker Panellist and friends. Um, thank you for your welcome. It's great to be here today. And to be part of this conference, let me acknowledge the conference coordinating group and and funders [00:05:30] in In particularly Barry sitting somewhere here who have been in a email contact to me to bring me over here and also the rainbow. Wellington. Without their support, I wouldn't be here today. Let me quickly, um, take you some of the picture I have put together, uh, from, uh, from the inception of Blue Diamond Society, which, [00:06:00] uh, will talk about the photo itself evident to speak for the issues, the problems, the struggles, the justice culture pageants, prides and lives of of LGBTI in Nepal. We basically started from scratch. Um, and I think this picture is is one of the few, uh, when we started blue dia in society [00:06:30] early years. A lot of violence is until 2007. So this is in 2003 that two mates were called for the male to female third genders in Nepal who have been arrested and then raped and brutally beaten up by the armed police force. This is another attempted murder of a transgender person by another army [00:07:00] officer. Now the meetings we are trying to celebrate New Year in 60 to 2062. We are in 2068. Now, the year he is also doing outreach peer work of the raising awareness of condom and HIV Um, he was beaten up on his face and then [00:07:30] the frequent one of the picture of frequent arbitrary arrest of LGBTI is in Nepal. This is the International Day against homophobia. We started celebrating from 2006 and it's at the public space and police was asking what we are doing about. And then we explained the police what we were doing. OK, uh and then we, uh the previous picture, [00:08:00] which slipped quickly, was about the filing, a petition to the court Supreme Court. And then we were waiting for the decision after the court decision. This is the first legal ID that, uh, was given to a third gender person. Bish uh and, uh, in the column of gender, it's written third, that's in Nepali, [00:08:30] and then two pictures of various lobbying, empowerment, training, leadership building. Um, this is a transgender. So sitting with the prime minister on the International AIDS Day last year various leadership training, uh, how to do public speaking, um, in line your vision with the organisation vision. So all the LGBTI [00:09:00] take place and strategize their own way forward, uh, part of several, uh, leadership courses. And also they are trained how to do a, uh, public speaking of the training. And this is a sit on protest demanding legal ID. And this is another interaction programme. The Pride Festival [00:09:30] Beauty pageants. This is the picture of pride Festival we did last year 2010. Nepal also officially promotes tourism. And the Minister, Tourism Minister of Nepal welcomed gay Les visitors in his masses. In one of those days, we also have a transgender choir or queer choir. They call and they sing beautifully. Like we saw the [00:10:00] Maoris last night. And we have several cultures, other cultures, uh, deities and some of also the pan, uh, deities paintings I have here. Uh, very graphic. This is Marie cultures. It still exists. Uh uh, uh. Born male. Very feminine or third gender in dancing and performing dances called. This [00:10:30] is, uh, uh, Hindu and Buddhist deities, uh, closely associated with gender. Uh, mostly third gender or various various gender rules. This is also the is, uh, both male and female form standing wide location. Also considered to be neither male nor female. [00:11:00] Um, Kumari, as you see you know, in modern days, Dr Drag Queen Kumari, this is another, uh, paintings or the these are widely You can, uh, you know, postcards and stuff in Nepal. And, um if you worship this goddess, you, uh, get all the bliss and all the satisfaction. That's what they believe. The [00:11:30] naked picture of a woman 30 should be also another one that whatever you wish fulfilled And this is the location and other paintings. Uh, this one is the original one from I think, fourth century BC a Buddhist deity of compassion Uh, more glimpses of Nepal. It's basically a corner Stories on the [00:12:00] courtyard of Nepali village home house, Uh, mountain close, not far from Kathmandu, taken by myself And this is Buddha Buddhist in Kathmandu. And for your information, we have pink mountain travels and tours. Yeah, So [00:12:30] I, um let me now move to my, uh, speech. I value you all, uh who have gathered here, the organisations and people you represent the roles you play and potential you have to shape the world of tomorrow. In particular, I believe that the Asia Pacific Out Games organisers have a vital role to play in accelerating the process of the LGBTI [00:13:00] rights in Asia Pacific through such games and such human rights conferences. I'm supportive of the missing. I believe our success in Asia Pacific's success. I have come this morning to talk with you on one of the last probably last issues of human rights in our time. That is ending discrimination over human diversity and ensuring full freedom [00:13:30] of all beings. And New Zealand is the place to talk about ending discrimination and preserving full freedom. Because here on this soil, discrimination against humans by humans on the ground of so called superiority the power of evil that tried to destroy civilization has been tackled successfully by the natives. The Maoris and the roots of human freedom have long ago struck deep, and [00:14:00] here they have been richly nourished. The decisive importance of liberty, freedom and dignity of LGBTI people is yet to be fully recognised. Still, by quite a few member states of the United Nations. Concern for the prevention and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedom stands at our hearts, regardless of human diversity. We [00:14:30] are working hard to boost the progress of the LGBTI rights, equality and equal opportunity because growing freedom is ultimately what will provide LGBTI and our families the job, security, shelter, education, health care, freedom and choices that we aspire to and deserve. It's the desire to build a brighter future, which lies at the heart of Blue Diamond Society's relation relationship relationship [00:15:00] agreement with the AC Pacific LGBT rights movements, a movement needs. Visionary leaders and visionary leaders are the builders of a new town working with imagination, insight and boldness. They work with the power of dedication with a higher hope, higher purpose. They are social innovators and changes and seeing the big picture and thinking strategically, [00:15:30] we share a commitment to improving the lives and prospects of all LGBTI and indeed of all Nepalese. And our confidence and courage has enabled us to work across a number of fronts to achieve that good relationships are the heart of effective movement. Building the movements embody a deeply caring approach to people seeing them as their greatest asset. The most effective leaders at the movement [00:16:00] are responsive to the real needs of people and they develop participative strategies to include people in designing their own futures. We have forged a strong relationship and one which I think has had a very positive impact on the work of Nepali government and the lives of Nepali LGBTI. In saying that, I recognise that while the government can provide the environment and policy settings for success, ultimately it is us, [00:16:30] the LGBT activists, entrepreneurs and innovators, the workers who will generate greater equality and wealth and growth in Nepali democracy and in its economy. Similarly, we should look to ourselves for the ideas energy that will fuel development for Asia Pacific, including my own country Nepal and for all of us. So the question for such a conference is how can you, working with government [00:17:00] and your wider community, support LGBTI to grow their asset base and the benefits that flow from that? How can we unlock and boost the potential value in LGBT held assets? I view the AC Pacific Out games as an excellent network like Blue Diamond Society in Nepal for bringing together the voices, the people, the ideas who together can answer those questions. We know there [00:17:30] is a great foundation to build on. Great things have already been achieved in Asia. In Asia Pacific. In the 10 years from 2001 to 2011 in Nepal, the out LGBT have grown up from one to more than 300,000. The situation had changed from violence to respect. The rich has expanded from Ratna Park, a tiny park at the centre of Kathmandu, to [00:18:00] a remote district in the far west of Nepal and made the recent governments of Nepal to support LGBT issues at national and local levels as well as international levels. The progress reflects a lot of hard work and a huge contribution by all Nepali LGBTI and with significant support from our sisters and brothers abroad. It reflects the flourishing of LGBTI movements and the development of new ideas [00:18:30] and ways to ways of doing things from far west to east of Nepal, from Tarai, the plains in the south of Nepal to the Himal, the mountains in the north from from cities to the villages. In part, it also reflects the successful transfer of leadership via the training, coaching dialogue one on one conversation and forming the foundation of sexual and gender minorities. Nepal [00:19:00] back in 2007, which have 30 organisation as a member. I want to talk a little about the process today. I want to reflect on where we have come to so far in the last decade and what that means for LGBT social, economic and political development. We take it as a great deal of importance on the rights and opportunities, negotiation process and on completing [00:19:30] fair and final settlement. Not because we believe it is the most important issue for LGBTI, but because like many of you, our goal is to move beyond grievance towards the brighter, more prosperous future we all seek. So we give everything to build the new constitution and we only accept the new constitution when it has guaranteed full rights, equality and non discrimination for LGBTI S in Nepal. [00:20:00] We have seen the draught criminal and civil law prepared by the Law Ministry and we condemn the process that it excluded us from the drafting process. We also deeply concerned with the proposal that draughts have made in the draught civil and criminal code. They don't acknowledge transgender. We call them Third Genders in Nepal. We refute the draught law because it says only men and women can marry and as a heterosexual couple [00:20:30] one. This is unacceptable and we can't let the law ministry take it forward when it indicates LGBTI people are criminal, which is against the Supreme Court decision and against the draught constitutional provisions. The state must not dictate to us to live lives against our will and nature. The new laws must allow LGBTI live life with freedom, dignity and opportunities. It's that [00:21:00] positive, forward looking part of the draught, constitution and legal change process that another ministry, Ministry of Women, Children and social welfare taking ahead excites me. We must stop looking in the rear view mirror at grievances past and in a state, sift our energies and focus towards building a stronger foundation for the future. Don't you think it will be wise for all the governments in [00:21:30] Asia Pacific to focus on development, how to tackle poverty, how to bring people and communities together in a state of targeting the LGBTI communities who have nothing to survive? Movement builders execute with confidence successful movement builders know where they want to go and how to get there. They believe in themselves and others believe in them too. The result is teamwork, shared goals and improved morale. [00:22:00] The last 10 years In 2000 starting at Out Initiative in Ratna Park, 2001 registering Blue Diamond Society in 2002 came out started from myself in 2003. Starting to address human rights violations of LGBTI S 2004. Taking the human rights abuse matters to the Union in 2005. Expand the programme in Kathmandu [00:22:30] and Paton and Pok and Nepal Guns five of the major cities in Nepal. 2006 Joining and leading the People's Movement. Janan Dolan second 2007. Taking the government to the Court 2008 Standing for the Constituent Assembly election and more expansion of networks and programmes 2009. Introducing the leadership programme working with district district local governments working with the political parties [00:23:00] 2010 working with the ministries and 2011 will become another milestone setting year. With our joint efforts, we will make this year one of the most historic one again. New LGBT leaders, not only from Nepal but from other countries in Asia Pacific should see the experience of Nepali LGBT leadership who still stand and fight from the year 2000, 2001 and how much we have achieved in the intervening period. [00:23:30] We, especially the new generation, the LGBTI, don't wish to spend more time and money on litigation and negotiation. It should be ensured by the new Law and new Constitution. We all want to focus on careers development, contribute and make a lot of progress and move on, and you should focus towards that and work hard to achieve that as well as helping restore the honour of the LGBTI. The constitutional [00:24:00] guarantee of equality will help build a future progress. A further progress base for LGBTI in Nepal We are moving on from a time when LGBT leadership and resources have been heavily focused on resolving historic cultural and legal injustices, and we are fast moving to an era in which that energy will be increasingly devoted to political and economic development and business opportunities [00:24:30] for the present and future specific achievements that need to be mentioned include implementing the historic Supreme Court decision made in 21st December 2007. Declaring all LGBTI are natural people and deserve equal rights and opportunities, our right to life, freedom and dignity was guaranteed by the court. It now must be translated into national laws and [00:25:00] into the new constitution. The first major milestone to be achieved within the process have already been marked, including the memorandum of understanding between Blue Diamond Society and Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare to eliminate all the discriminator laws against us. The same sex marriage Committee is considering giving marriage equality to all LGBTI in Nepal. The gender equality bill also [00:25:30] must include LGBTI S that the Law Ministry is preparing to present to the parliament. How can the gender equality bill be called the gender equality Bill and not talk about third genders or transgender? I seriously recognise that we need to work with the with this existing system and people within law ministry in Nepal in a great deal. History will judge us on our efforts to establish equality for all, but it will also [00:26:00] judge those from the governments who are in power and who can pass the policies, how fair and just they have been introducing new laws and constitution. Future generation will judge them even more. When we sat in front of the singer DVA, which you saw in the picture the government hub of Nepal and got arrested, it's easy to forget there. There was considerable disquiet from media and [00:26:30] civil society that government was doing injustices to us, the gays, lesbians and transgender, not even issuing citizenship. ID to the to the legal citizens of Nepal media and Civil society and the international community also contributed prominently to highlight the discrimination we have been facing and forced the government to take a step back and we were released and then the prime minister promised that he will issue the [00:27:00] citizenship. ID. The legal ID issues matter as soon as possible. We're waiting for that day as many of you and many of you may know, during our early years, the third gender chair had her throat slit after being raped and 39 Blue Diamond Society members were arrested in 2004 and there were many more such incidents. We had a tremendously difficult time, but we stood [00:27:30] strong and stood unshaken and established ourselves much stronger and force the government to recognise us showed the government that we were not here to vanish in the dark. We are telling them that until we have justice and equality, we will not remain quiet and we will not leave you quietly. My sense as I travel around the country and internationally visiting communities, schools [00:28:00] and homes in that most of the, uh is that most of the members of the societies LGBTI S included want to move the conversation on and accepting us as part of family and society, and live in the Princip principle of live and let live to move to move on. From a conversation that passed injustices to one about how to address LGBTI underachievement [00:28:30] about how to deliver old class education standards to ensure LGBT have the skills and resources we need to succeed and help to ensure that LGBTI Children and families have good jobs and high aspirations. The desire to see LGBTI improve their lot in life, to be better equipped to succeed and to no longer be overrepresented in negative statistics associated [00:29:00] with education, health and crime lay at the heart of why both the national and local parties choose to work together even though neither parties have compelled to do so. I hope that this conference and the support provided by Out Games is a vehicle for LGBT activists to think about how dedication and courage can boost efforts and how can how you can strengthen [00:29:30] your relationship with the wider social sector, especially with your governments. The second big opportunity I would like to see is that more regional allowed games within the Asia Pacific region as Asia Pacific region is vast in many ways and most of the world population resides in Asia Pacific. It's important for LGBTI to make the most of Wellington's time in the spotlight, focusing on [00:30:00] maximising the social, economic and political return of the art games. I also would like to suggest that the out games should serve as a great opportunity for LGBT business to showcase their products and innovative businesses ideas as well as creating connection with international markets. Which brings me to the third opportunity which lies in making the most of Nepal's considerable legal [00:30:30] and constitutional advancement to inspire other countries in the region. I think there is a great potential for LGBTI development and livelihoods to stand together to make the most of these opportunities. Networks like out games are very important in this regard. In closing my presentation today, let me repeat that I think the future of LGBTI S in Asia Pacific is brighter than ever. Organisations like art [00:31:00] games are important vehicles to for bringing the leaders and thinkers together. And conferences like this are a great way of sparking the ideas, aspirations and movements that will lead the way. I wish you all the best for the year ahead and look forward to talking with you this afternoon. Thank you very much. [00:31:30] Hm.
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