Fun Fast Facts:
Updated: 16 Jun 2015 (Tiny country, big problems)
- Nauru, officially the Republic of Nauru, is the smallest state in the South Pacific and third smallest state by area in the world. It has a population of 9,488 residents and a reported unemployment rate of 90%.
- Male-male homosexual acts remain illegal and there is no legal recognition of same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships.
- Male homosexuality may be punished with up to 14 years imprisonment and hard labour, however there have been no reported instances of prosecution in recent years.
- In October 2011, the government pledged to decriminalise same-sex sexual acts; however, no relevant legislation was enacted as at July 2015.
- In 2011, Nauru sponsored the UN Human Rights Council Joint Statement on Ending Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
Broadcast: 16 Jun 2015
Tiny country, big problems
LGBTIQ-friendly organisation: Kaleidoscope Australia Human Rights Foundation
Kaleidoscope Australia is a not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in the Asia Pacific region. They work directly with local activists to enhance their capacity to combat prejudice, hostile authorities and discriminatory laws, helping them achieve the freedom and equality essential to living a life of dignity. They assist lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities in the Asia Pacific region by;
- writing independent ‘shadow’ reports for the UN Human Rights Committee’s review of states’ compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Human Rights Council’s regular Universal Periodic Review of the human rights record of member nations.
- raising awareness of violations of their human rights through the press, social media and at conferences and events.
- connecting them with networks, resources and services in Australia and elsewhere.
- facilitating tailored training and educational materials to assist them in their important work.
W3JOY interviewed: Dr Paula Gerber of Kaleidoscope Australia Human Rights Foundation
Listen to the podcast to discover:
- how you find any LGBTIQ people in Nauru – is the culture of silence on anything LGBTIQ impacting long term change – both legal and cultural?
- why haven’t the promised law changes gone ahead?
- how do issues such as political instability, poverty and unemployment impact any opportunity to even discuss LGBTIQ rights?
- for some asylum seekers, persecution for their homosexuality is the basis for seeking asylum. If the camps they are housed in cannot protect them, are they any better off than the country they were persecuted in? What responsibility does Australia have in this situation?
Dr Gerber also launched the Best Practice Guide in Determining Application for Refugee Status based on sexual orientation of gender identity.