The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office in Region XII has started its investigation on a news report showing LGBTQI individuals in Ampatuan, Maguindanao being forced to have their heads shaved.
In a social media post by a local news organization, the forced head shaving was allegedly done because of religious beliefs prohibiting homosexuality.
“CHR finds this incident deeply concerning, especially as the country celebrates Pride Month this June. As the country’s Gender Ombud and independent national human rights institution, CHR continues to stress that no person should ever suffer discrimination and harm on the basis of one’s affiliation or creed, or because of one’s sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC),” CHR chairperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement Saturday.“All persons are free and equal in dignity and rights. LGBTQI rights are human rights,” she added.
De Guia said, “not even a religious belief can justify a human rights violation.”
“Religious freedom, while it includes the absolute right to believe in a dogma, cannot transgress on the rights of others nor be used to justify harm and violence. This is especially so when current laws, such as the Safe Spaces Act, uphold the right of all persons from harassment, including protection from remarks and slurs that betray hatred and fear of members of the LGBTQI community,” De Guia added.
The CHR said ending the stigma, discrimination, and violence faced by the LGBTQI community should be a concern of all.
“The LGBTQI community is very much part of our society and they deserve equal right to safety and security in private and public spaces. The right to dignity includes the right of every person to be able to live their truths as to their identity; to be able to express; to be recognized; and to be respected as humans with rights,” she said.