INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY AND

HUMAN DIGNITY : 70 YEARS OF UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN

RIGHTS.

NAME OF THE RESEARCHER : Aakash Aggarwal

FOCAL THEME: Human rights, democracy and human dignity.
SUB-THEME: Protection of Human dignity.
RESEARCH PAPER TITLE: Human dignity as a basis for human rights to the “Transgender” and it`s
contemporary scenario in INDIA.
Affiliation: BBA.LLB (hons.), Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla 171011.

Abstract - Should transgender be provided with human rights and dignified character? The
topic of this research paper is “Human dignity as a basis for human rights to the
transgender” under the sub-theme “Protection of human dignity”. The “transgender” is the
term for the people whose gender and sexual orientation is different from the sex assigned by
birth. In 2012, the government of India submitted figures before the apex judiciary organ of
the country (i.e. Supreme court) that approx 2.5 million population of transgender (lgbt`s)
recorded in the country. Transgender constitutes an undeniable section of country which is
being marginalised since the very decades. Transgender do have their specific character and
must have the right to lead a dignified long run. As far as the homosexuality is concerned,
Netherlands was the first country to legalise the same-sex marriages. Everyone has the right
to lead a dignified human life and must not be deprived of legal rights. Transgender should be
happily accepted by the society and proper respect should be given to them. This research
paper aims to find the contemporary scenario of human rights to the transgender in a highly
democratic country like India , the various problems which the transgender community is
facing around the globe and the question that can human dignity be considered as a basis for
providing human rights to this certain community. Various countries have set an example by
making stringent laws and legislation for this community so that they can lead their life in a
lofty manner. Transgender are being characterized as mentally ill, the persons which are
socially deviated. The crime rates against transgender, poverty issues and lack of proper
access to the essential resources are some major concerns which need to be discussed.
We can`t directly deny this community in the name of so called “morals and ethics”, though
it`s all about the way, a person forming his perception. Many people are in ethical dilemma
that whether a civilised society can accept and pay respect to such kind of community which
are against their own created and developed morals and ethics especially in a deeply rooted,
customized, diversified country like India. This research paper will also include the various
local perceptions of the people, like how they perceive this community which may vary from
individual to individual. The main purposes of this research are to come to a conclusion, to
get out of this “ ethical dilemma” , to consider transgender as a requisite part of any society
and to pay the attention to the contemporary issues and consequences this community is
facing these days globally !!

(Keywords – Human dignity, Transgender, Morals & Ethics) Page 1