OCT.

08, 2013

NR # 3250

Solon wants to address hate crimes against LGBT

A lawmaker has expressed concern over the increasing hate crimes against the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and the transgendered (LGBTs). Rep. Sol Aragones (3rd District, Laguna) filed House Bill 2572 making hate crimes against LGBTs community an aggravating circumstance for crimes against persons and chastity. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders are oppressed by the more bigoted members of society at large mainly due to misconceptions and ignorance, Aragones said. Aragones said hate crimes differ from ordinary crimes not only because of the motivation of the offender, but also because of the impact on the victim. The perpetrator selects the victim because of his or her membership of a group, suggesting that one member of such a group is interchangeable with any other, she said. Hate crimes are sometimes described as symbolic crimes, design to intimidate the victim and the victims community on the basis of their personal characteristics, sending a message to the victim that they are not welcome, Aragones said. Aragones cited the concern of Marlon Lacsamana of the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch, emphasizing the need to have a mechanism that will help identify hate crime victims. Aragones said the government needs to recognize, investigate, document and prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and getting the active support of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The government should exert efforts at addressing violence committed against LGBT members in keeping with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other international human rights instruments of which the Philippine is a party, Aragones said. Aragones said the government also values the dignity of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders (LGBT), guarantees full respect for human rights and recognizes the need to protect them from violence and threats to their personal safety and security. Aragones said a hate crime is any offense motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate based on sex, sexual orientation, or any other similar factor, including damaging the honor or the reputation of the victim, or a group of persons to which the victim belongs, on account of their actual or supposed sexual identity. Under the Revised Penal Code, a person who commits a Crime Against Persons or Against Chastity against a member of the LGBT community shall suffer the maximum penalty imposed by the law if it is proven that the act complained of is in the nature of a hate crime. (30) jsc