On May 7, 2018, the Ministry of the Interior in Colombia, led by Guillermo Rivera, presented Decree 762 which is a public policy framework to guarantee the effective exercise of the rights of LGBTQ people.
This process, which started in September 2010, is intended to respond to requests from civil society demanding an instrument for the Colombian government to guarantee the rights of LGBTQ persons, prevent violence, and endow the State with affirmative actions and concrete actions to secure these rights.
Decree 762 centers around three axes:
- Civil and Political Rights: The main focus will be the protection and guarantee of freedom of expression, and safeguarding LGBTQ people’s safety and well-being.
- Democratic Participation: The policy seeks to promote the right to free participation in all social and political sectors of life for LGBTQ people.
- Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights: Emphasis will be placed on the right to healthcare, education, work, housing, and recreation, sport, and culture.
Wilson Castañeda, Director of Caribe Afirmativo, is hopeful that “it is not just another official document that is created to check a box, but rather a real guarantee for the recognition of the rights of LGBTQ people in the country.”
Over the next 6 months, the Ministry of the Interior will be designing its Action Plan for the implementation of this policy. Caribe Afirmativo will work closely with their allies in government to ensure collaboration and consultation with LGBTQ civil society during this process.
