Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity strongly condemns the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) attempts to intervene in the Scottish consultation on reform of the Gender Recognition Act, and the ongoing UK Government’s consultation on banning the destructive and internationally discredited practice of conversion therapy.
These statements by the EHRC are clearly intended to negatively impact on trans, non-binary and gender diverse communities and are in breach of its mission to “encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and protect and promote the human rights of everyone in Britain”.
As an accredited National Human Rights Institution, the Charity believes that these statements also contradict the ‘Paris Principles’, internationally recognised standards to assess the credibility, independence and effectiveness of organisations like the EHRC.
Furthermore, the Charity calls on the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to reassess their relationship with the EHRC, which is increasingly proving to be structurally transphobic and not fit for purpose.
Please join us in signing this open letter by Stonewall to demand that the UK and Scottish Governments continue down the path of progressing rights for everyone whose gender identity is not aligned with the gender that they were assigned at birth without further delay: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/open-letter-stand-trans-rights
The Charity understands that this a distressing time. If you’re feeling anxious or troubled, then please reach out and speak to someone.