[rnddh-press] RNDDH Statement on the Newly Designated Prime Minister

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Statement

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RNDDH’s statement on the Newly Designated Prime Minister
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/Statement by RNDDH Executive Director Pierre Esperance, July 10, 2008/

RNDDH, an organization that promotes and defends human rights, 
recognizes the liberty each person has to choose their sexual 
orientation or the sexuality they desire according to the corresponding 
principles of human rights. These principles primarily include the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Pact for 
Civil and Political Rights.

RNDDH notes that there are numerous forms of sexuality, but one that is 
dominant. This reality does not grant any person or sector the right to 
deny other forms of sexuality by condemning them, claiming they are not 
good or moral.

RNDDH questions the debate surrounding the sexual orientation of the 
designated Prime Minister.

RNDDH asks why this debate has never before occurred regarding the 
sexual orientation of the many other dignitaries who have held high 
positions within the State, though there was talk surrounding them.

Is it because the others were men that this question was not raised? 
RNDDH reminds Haitian society that if we want to build a proper 
democracy, we must respect all rights of others. For example:

-   The right to health, a home, food, speech, and participation in the 
country's affairs along with the right to sexual orientation.

-   RNDDH believes that the sexual orientation of a person has no 
relation to the competency, capacity, or morality a person needs to hold 
a position with the State. It is, rather, the politics and vision of a 
person that lead him/her to respect human rights that is important.

-   RNDDH reminds Parliament that they are not in their positions to 
violate human rights, but rather to guarantee human rights. Thus, 
Parliament has no reason to consider the talk surrounding the sexual 
orientation of a candidate for the position of Prime Minister, has no 
reason to claim that he/she is immoral.

-  Therefore, RNDDH reminds Parliament that the State has an obligation 
to guarantee human rights without regard (an obligation without 
discrimination) to: color, sex, race, religion, or social status.

Others who have served as Prime Minister, Ministers who have been 
surrounded by rumors regarding their sexual orientation, have never had 
to tolerate this.

-  As such, Parliament has never posed questions regarding the rumors 
surrounding the sexual orientation of a candidate because she is female.

-  Questions of other forms of sexuality have existed throughout the 
country. Rumors have spread regarding many men, but there has never been 
a debate carried out about such matters.

-  Therefore, it seems clear that this is not a debate regarding sexual 
orientation, but rather this is a debate whose roots are in sex 
discrimination.

-  RNDDH believes that the Haitian society must end with this hypocrisy 
because hypocrisy will not help us to respect human rights; on the 
contrary, it will only encourage the violation of human rights.

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