Kathmandu - Representatives of the gay community on Saturday
greeted a decision by Nepal's Supreme Court that directed the
government to formulate laws for legal recognition of sexual
minorities.
The laws are to stop discrimination against them, according to the
court ruling which was made on Friday. The Blue Diamond Society that
represents thousands of sexual minorities said the verdict was a
victory for the community.
'The court has taken a major step to protect the rights of sexual
minorities,' Sunil Babu Pant of the society said. 'The
government must provide sexual minorities with the documents they
prefer on their identities.'
The landmark court order came on Friday during hearings on a
petition demanding legal status for Nepal's small but vocal gay and
transsexual community.
'Lesbian, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals are natural persons and
should be allowed to enjoy all the rights defined by the national
human rights laws and the constitution,' the Supreme Court said.
'It is the duty of the state to create an environment for the
enjoyment of rights by sexual minorities,' the Supreme Court order
said. 'It should not be assumed that they cannot enjoy the rights
because of their sexual orientation.'
The court also directed the government to amend the existing laws
which discriminate against gays, lesbians and transsexuals.
However, Nepal's Supreme Court said it needed more time to study
the demands for same-sex marriage.
The gay and transsexual community has been fighting for legal
recognition for several years.
According to the Blue Diamond Society, nearly 80,000 people are
affiliated with the organisations and claims about 10 per cent of
Nepal's 28 million people could be classified as sexual minorities.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
USA
Your Talkback on this Story