Remarks by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, at the UN75 Dialogue with the LGBTQI Community

Brothers and sisters, Good morning to you all.

On behalf of the UN Development System in Eswatini, I wish you all a very warm welcome to this UN75 dialogue. I am pleased to be with you at such a challenging time in the history of minority groups in the world and in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

The UN is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of great disruption for the world due to an unprecedented global health crisis that bears severe economic and social impacts. The questions that we may all have in our mind at present is: will we survive this crisis and will we emerge from it stronger or more vulnerable than before it struck us?

The UN has declared 2020 is the year of dialogues and is encouraging all countries to facilitate discussions among different groups in order to talk about our challenges, our aspirations and how – either individually or preferably collectively - we could and we will build a better future for all.

The UN is gathering voices from all people, especially from those often left behind, including from marginalized groups. We want to hear your views, your concerns, your aspirations and dreams, and recommendations on “The future we want, the UN we need” – which is the theme for the UN75 dialogues.

The feedback from those exchanges will be included in a report to be presented at the 75th session of the General Assembly in September 2020, in which Eswatini will serve as Vice President. This puts our Kingdom in a privileged position to contribute in shaping the future of the world at such a critical time in the human history.

We are aware of the struggles that minority populations face around the world from the lack of recognition to discrimination and stigma, along with the same vulnerabilities stemming from lack of job security or unemployment, food insecurity, limited access to adequate health and psychosocial services, and so on. We have witnessed how COVID-19 has increased the vulnerability of minority groups, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Your presence here today is very much appreciated. Your voices must be heard and will be heard. I hope that you will feel free to make candid and open comments as you tell us about your experiences and aspirations, and you seek to offer solutions to the current challenges facing the world, including Eswatini.

As the UN, we advocate for the safety, the good health and the well-being of sexual and gender minorities. We know that because of their new identity, gender, sexual orientations or other major changes, gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual people are discriminated against and often face various forms of violence in many countries, including from their families. This may intensify under movement restrictions and heightened tensions that come with COVID-19.

We are particularly concerned when the human rights and the    dignity of LGBTQI people are violated, notably in access to health care services, and when they continue to experience stigma, abuse and persecution in our communities.

COVID-19 has laid bare severe and systemic inequalities.  The UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres recently observed that, among the many severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the increased vulnerability of LGBTI people. 

He noted that many LGBTI people are experiencing heightened stigma as a result of the virus, as well as new obstacles when seeking health care.  This is happening when LGBTQI were already facing bias, attacks and murder simply for who they are or whom they love.

There are also reports of COVID-19 directives being misused by law enforcement officers to target LGBTI individuals and organizations.

 

In Eswatini, LGBTQI continue to struggle for recognition as well as to end discrimination. I have noted with concern the findings of a recent study that showed that more than 30% LGBTQI in Eswatini have been denied health care because of gender identity. Many more (41%) were reported to have been insulted in health care facility after revealing gender identity.

As the pandemic unfolds, the United Nations will continue to advocate against these and other injustices, as well as for the need for everyone to be protected and included in the response to the crisis. 

I would like to conclude by saying, let us all stand united against discrimination and for the right of all to live free and equal in dignity and in rights. 

I wish us very fruitful deliberations, as you discuss these critical matters.

I thank you.