Discrimination still exist despite constitution – Ashwin Raj

We still have discrimination despite the constitution stating that one cannot be discriminated against on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

This has been highlighted by the Director of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Ashwin Raj when addressing the media on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Raj says in this country we have a serious problem with hate speech when people begin to vilify someone racially and then it descends into somebody’s sexual orientation.

He says discrimination takes multiple forms and sometimes it is much more insidious and there are other times where it is done very explicitly where you are totally rejected.

Raj says members of the transgender community are not treated like ordinary people.

Raj says there is a need to get data on the state of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and the Intersex community.

The Commission has launched a video which sends out a message to the people of Fiji about the importance that families play in all our lives including the members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and the Intersex community.

Raj says the video will be shown in cinemas.