Republic of Mauritius LGBTQI an2d p0ol0iti0 i-n t2he0 10 · Mauricien (MMM) and the Mouvement...
Transcript of Republic of Mauritius LGBTQI an2d p0ol0iti0 i-n t2he0 10 · Mauricien (MMM) and the Mouvement...
2000-2010LGBTQIandpoliti intheRepublicofMauritius
BAROMETER
INTRODUCTIONLGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius2000-2010
©YoungQueerAlliance|www.youngqueeralliance.com
page|1LGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius:2000-2010Barometer
SummaryofpoliticalpartiesandLGBTQIrightsratingsSummaryofpoliticalpartiesandLGBTQIrightsratings
AgainstLGBTQI Pro-LGBTQI
MauritiusLabourPartyPartiMauricienSociale
DémocrateMouvementMilitantMauricien
MouvementSocialisteMilitant
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EXECUTIVENOTE
LGBTQI.. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and thewhat-not acronyms and alphabets used to identify thepluralsexualidentitiesofanothergroupofmarginalisedandoppressedindividualsinsocieties;andtheLGBTQIarenoexceptiontolegal,institutional,social,cultural,political,etc.hardshipsduetotheirrealorperceivedidentities.
MovingforwardLGBTQIrightswhileensuringlivingconditionsinlinewithhumanitarianandsocialstandardsdemandsanalysisof the fluctuations in politics and policies related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Mauritius and other relatednational,regionalorinternationalbodies.Movingbeyondanalysisisdiffusionoftheinformationtoenablecriticaldialogueandthinkingwhile altogether situating the respective responsibilitiesof andgivingdue credit to concernedpolitical actors in thestruggle..suchthatnomanisleftmarginalised;thatnosocietyfeelsdiminishedbythelossofoneoftheirs.
Often,policymakers,organisationsandactivists,mediapeopleandotheractorsconcernedtoLGBTQIrightsandconditionsinone way or the other lack the necessary information to support them in their tasks. Furthermore, accountability of decisionmakersisanotheraspectthatneedstobepromoted.
LGBTQIandpolitics in theRepublicofMauritius:2000 -2010Barometer isaground-breakingnon-partisan research ledby theYoungQueerAlliance'sresearchcentretocontinuouslymonitorthepoliticalevolutionconcerningLGBTQIinMauritius.
YQApresentsitsthankstotheResearchCentreandteamforthemassiveworktheydidbydedicatingtheirvolunteertimeandknow-how.
YoungQueerAllianceResearchCentre
RESEARCHMETHODOLOGY
KEYFINDINGS
AIDSAcquiredImmunodefficiencySyndromeHIVHumanImmunodeficiencyVirusLGBTQILesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transgender,QueerandIntersexMMMMouvementMilitantMauricienMMSDMouvementMauricienSocialDémocrateMSMMouvementSocialisteMilitant(alsoMenhavingSexwithMeninHIV/AIDSjargon)PMSDPartiMauricienSocialeDémocratePMXDPartiMauricienXavierDuvalPSMPartiSocialisteMauricienPTrPartiTravaillisteSOGISexualOrientationandGenderIdentityUNUnitedNations(alsoUnionNationalewhenreferringtoaminorpoliticalgroupinMauritius)
SUMMARYLGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius2000-2010
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LISTOFABBREVIATIONS
->Duringtheperiod2005-2010undertheAllianceSocialegovernmentledby2005-2010primeministerDr.NavinchandraRamgoolam,LGBTQIrightsstartedtobeimplementedandflourishdespitethenon-passingoftheSexualOffencesBill2007inparliament.Firstlawsmakingprovisionofsexualorientationwereimplemented.->Religiousand/ormoralityand/orpublicsensitivityand/orculturalargumentshavebeenusedbyboththeMouvementMilitantMauricien(MMM)andtheMouvementSocialisteMilitant(MSM)tohindertheSexualOffencesBill2007.->Lawsandpoliciespasseddidnottargetspecificallysexualorientationbutincludedsexualorientationamongagroupofstatuses.->GenderIdentityhasnotbeenconsideredinlaws.->in2008,firsttimeMauritiussignedtheUnitedNationsdeclarationonSexualOrientationandGenderIdentity.
TheLGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius:2000-2010BarometerisaYoungQueerAllianceledchronologicalbarometer,whichisnon-partisanandindependentthatcompilesdatafromvarioussourcessuchasGovernmentofMauritiuswebsite&publicationsandnewspaperarticlesamongothersbasedon:a)publicdeclarationsofmembersofparliamentandrepresentativesofthemainpoliticalpartiesinMauritiusnamelythePartiTravailliste,MouvementMilitantMauricien,MouvementSocialisteMilitantandPartiMauricienSocialeDémocrate;b)LawstabledattheNationalAssemblyofMauritius;andc)BillspresentedbyconcernedGovernments.
NOTE:Uponwrittenandsubstantivesubmissionsbyconcernedpoliticalparties,incaseofadditionsoramendment,upwardsordownwardsratingsinsubsequentbarometersmightbeconsidered.
2007
2000-2005
TIMELINE
2006
2008
2009
2010
LGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius2000-2010MauritiusLabourParty(PartiTravailliste-PTr)
MainoppositionpartyNostandrelatedtoLGBTQI
during2000-2005
GeneralElections2010GeneralElections
PTr-MSM-PMSDcoalitionv/s
MMM-UN-MMSDcoalition
Continuedthe2000-2005HIV/AIDSinclusiveresponseforMenhavingSexwithMen
HIV/AIDSPrevention
PresentationoftheSexualOffencesBill2007forholisticapproachtosexualoffencesaswellasstrikingoffofanti-sodomySection250oftheCriminalCode
SexualOffencesBill2007
WithdrawaloftheSexualOffencesBill2007duetofierceoppositionfromtheMouvementSocialisteMilitant(MSM)andtheMouvementMilitantMauricien(MMM)
WithdrawalofSexualOffencesBill2007
EnactmentofEmploymentRightsAct2008forequalemploymentopportunitiesandanti-discriminationincludingonthebasisofone'sSexualOrientation
EmploymentRightsAct2008
VotingoftheEqualOpportunitiesAct2008/12havingforprovisionsequalopportunitiesandprotectionagainstdiscriminationirrespectiveofone'ssexualorientationamongotherstatusessuchasrace,religion,sex,caste,etc.
EqualOpportunitiesAct2008/12
EnactmentofEmploymentRelationsAct2008makingprovisionforanti-harassmentonthebasisofSexualOrientation
EmploymentRelationsAct2008
MAURITIUSLABOURPARTY
History
TheMauritiusLabourParty(PartiTravailliste-PTr)wasfoundedonthe23rdFebruary1936havingforvisionthestruggleforsocial,politicalandeconomicalrightsoftheworkingclass.
Principles
TheMauritiusLabourPartyhasworkedtowardsamodernMauritiusbyfavouringhumandignity,freedomandsocialjustice.Since1936,somerealisationsofaprogressivepoliticswere:
-Workersdignityandrights-Universalvotingrights-Accessiontoindependence-Universalpension-Freehealthcareforall-Freeeducationforall-Promotionofgenderequality-Liberalisationofradiostations-Democratisationoftheeconomy-Freepublictransportation-Socialallocationsforthemostvulnerableofsociety
CommentsandRatings
ThePTristhefirstpoliticalpartyinMauritiustoincludelawsandpoliciesforLGBTQIinMauritiusthatmentionSexualOrientationandhavetakeninclusivesocialapproachestolawsandpolicies.However,theyhavenotincludedGenderIdentityandExpressionorIntersexinlaws.
InfavourofLGBTQI|7votesAgainstLGBTQI|1vote
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2005SeniorGoverningParty(2005-2010)
2005GeneralElectionsMMM-MSMcoalition
v/sPTr-(ex-)PMXDcoalition
underAllianceSociale
AllianceSocialeelectedinparliamentasGoverningparty
withPTrasseniorpartner
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2010
ImplementedpoliciesforCivilServants/PublicOfficersintheCodeofEthicsofCivilServantstoprovideforEqualOpportunitiesServicesandanti-discriminationpoliciesincludingonSexualOrientation
CodeofEthicsofCivilServants2010
LGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius:2000-2010Barometer
Supportedthe2008UnitedNationsDeclarationonSexualOrientationandGenderIdentity
UnitedNationsDeclarationonSOGI
TheMauritianSocialDemocraticParty(PartiMauricienSocialDémocrate-PMSD)wasfoundedonthe6thApril1955.ItwasformerlyknownastheMauritiusUnionfrom1946to1956.Itisacentre-righttorightleaningconservativepartydrawingitssupportpriortoindependencemainlyfromChristiansandMuslims.
ThePMSDwasledbySirGaëtanDuvalpostcolonialera.ThePMSDsplitduringthe1990'sandtheMauritianPartyofXavierDuval(PartiMauricienXavierDuval-PMXD)wasformedin1998.In2009,thePMXD(alreadyjuniormemberoftheAllianceSociale)wasdissolvedandmergedtoformaunifiedPMSDtojointheAllianceSocialegovernment.
2007
2000-2005
TIMELINE
2006
2008
2010
2009
LGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius2000-2010MauritianSocialDemocraticParty(PartiMauricienSocialDémocrate-PMSD)
OutofparliamentNostandrelatedtoLGBTQIduring2000-2005
GeneralElections
2010GeneralElectionsPTr-MSM-PMSDcoalitionv/sMMM-UN-MMSDcoalition
Continuedthe2000-2005HIV/AIDSinclusiveresponseforMenhavingSexwithMen
HIV/AIDSPrevention
PresentationoftheSexualOffencesBill2007forholisticapproachtosexual
offencesaswellasstrikingoffofanti-sodomySection250oftheCriminalCode
SexualOffencesBill2007
WithdrawaloftheSexualOffencesBill2007duetofierceoppositionfromtheMouvementSocialisteMilitant(MSM)andtheMouvementMilitantMauricien(MMM)
WithdrawalofSexualOffencesBill2007
EnactmentofEmploymentRightsAct2008forequalemployment
opportunitiesandanti-discriminationincludingonthebasisofone'sSexual
Orientation
EmploymentRightsAct2008
VotingoftheEqualOpportunitiesAct2008/12havingforprovisionsequalopportunitiesandprotectionagainstdiscriminationirrespectiveofone's
sexualorientationamongotherstatusessuchasrace,religion,sex,caste,etc.
EqualOpportunitiesAct2008/12
EnactmentofEmploymentRelationsAct2008makingprovisionforanti-harassment
onthebasisofSexualOrientation
EmploymentRelationsAct2008
MAURITIANSOCIALDEMOCRATICPARTY
History
Principles
ThePMSDhasmarkedhistorybybeingprobablythe'sole'majorpoliticalpartyinMauritiustobeagainstIndependencebutfavouredthatMauritiusstayedunderBritishcolony.However,aftertheaccessiontoindependencein1968,thePMSDjoinedthePTrtoensuresocialcohesionaswellastoprotecttheinterestsoftheoligarchinMauritius.
ThePMSDisattributedtohavingdevelopedtheTourismSector,theExportProcessingZone,andtextileinMauritius.IntermsofrespectofHumanRightstolife,thePMSDisopposedtoCapitalPunishment/DeathPenalty.
CommentsandRatings
ThePMSD(alsoPMXD)didnotcomeupwithanyrecordedlaws,statements,projectsconcerningLGBTQI.AllmotionsinparliamentpassedbytheAllianceSocialegovernment-inwhichtheywerejuniorpartner-werehowevervotedbythem.
NOTE:DespitenosupportfromthePMSDtowardsLGBTQI,giventhattheyvotedlawsforLGBTQIthatthePTrpassed,wearegivingmarkingsonbenefitofdoubt.
InfavourofLGBTQI|7votesAgainstLGBTQI|1vote
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2005 JuniorGoverningparty(2005-2010)
2005GeneralElectionsMMM-MSMcoalitionv/sPTr-(ex-)PMXDcoalitionunderAllianceSociale
AllianceSocialeelectedinparliamentasGoverningpartywithPMXDasjuniorpartner
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2010
ImplementedpoliciesforCivilServants/PublicOfficersintheCodeofEthicsofCivilServantstoprovidefor
EqualOpportunitiesServicesandanti-discriminationpoliciesincludingon
SexualOrientation
CodeofEthicsofCivilServants2010
LGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius:2000-2010Barometer
Supportedthe2008UnitedNationsDeclarationonSexualOrientationand
GenderIdentity
UnitedNationsDeclarationonSOGI
2007
2000-2005
TIMELINE
2006
2008
2009
2010
LGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius2000-2010MauritianMilitantMovement(MouvementMilitantMauricien-MMM)
GoverningPartyMMM-MSMcoalition
electedasgoverningparty.
SirAneeroodJugnauthwasPrimeMinisterfrom2000-
2003
PaulRaymondBérengerheldPrimeMinistership
from2003-2005
GeneralElections2010GeneralElections
PTr-MSM-PMSDcoalitionv/s
MMM-UN-MMSDcoalition
Started2000-2005HIV/AIDSinclusiveresponseforMenhavingSexwithMen(mainlyunderPaulRaymondBérengerprimeministership)
HIV/AIDSPrevention
OpposedtheSexualOffencesBill2007-relatedtosomeextentwithrepealingofSodomyarticleintheCriminalCode.
OpposedSexualOffencesBill2007
MAURITIANMILITANTMOVEMENT
History
TheMauritianMilitantMovement(MouvementMilitantMauricien-MMM)wasfoundedinSeptember1969byagroupofstudents.Itisaleft-wingandsocialistpoliticalparty.ItoriginatedandemergedfromtheClubdesEtudiants.Duringitsearlyyears,theMMMwasastrongbackboneofworkers'andstudents'struggle.Ithaswontwo60-0electionsin1982and1995.ItisapartythatisdeeplyrootedinMauritianpoliticsashistoricallythemainoppositionparty.
Principles
TheMauritianMilitantMovementhasworkedseamlesslyforworkersrightsandemancipation,forstudentsrightsandmainlyfortheconsolidationofdemocracyandtheconstitution.Itisalsoabarrieragainstcommunalpolitics.Someofitsrealisationswere:
-Workersdignityandrights-Ensuringconstitutionalammendmentsforelectionstobeheldatleastonceeveryfiveyears-HelpedinmakingMauritiustransittoaRepublic-PromotingfreeandaccessibleeducationforallincludingtheZonesd'éducationprioritaireforstudentswhofailthetraditionaleducationalsystem-Sea-foodhubandcybercity-Fightingcorruption-Socialallocationsforthemostvulnerableofsociety
CommentsandRatings
TheMMMbelievesinafairersocietywithoutdiscriminationandforequalopportunitiesirrespectiveofthestatusofanindividual-suchasrace,ethnicity,colorofskin,gender,sexualorientation,etc.However,duringtheyears2006-2010,theMMMhadadividedpositiononrightsofpeoplebasedontheirSexualOrientation.
InfavourofLGBTQI|2votesAgainstLGBTQI|1vote
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2005OppositionParty(Main)
2005GeneralElectionsMMM-MSMcoalition
v/sPTr-(ex-)PMXDcoalition
underAllianceSociale
PaulRaymondBérengerbecametheLeaderofthe
Oppositiontill4thApril2006
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2010
LGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius:2000-2010Barometer
PaulRaymondBérengerbecametheLeaderoftheOppositionagainonthe27thSeptember2007
OppositionParty(Main)
Presentedapaperonequalopportunitiesthemed"l'égalitédeschancesetparité"thatproposedequalopportunitiesatworkirrespectiveofone'ssexualorientationamongotherstatusesaswellasthecreationofanEqualOpportunitiesCommission
PaperonEqualOpportunities
2007
2000-2005
TIMELINE
2006
2008
2009
2010
LGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius2000-2010MilitantSocialistMovement(MouvementSocialisteMilitant-MSM)
GoverningPartyMMM-MSMcoalitionelectedasgoverningparty.
SirAneeroodJugnauthwasPrimeMinisterfrom2000-2003
PaulRaymondBérengerheldPrimeMinistershipfrom2003-2005
GeneralElections
2010GeneralElectionsPTr-MSM-PMSDcoalitionv/sMMM-UN-MMSDcoalition
Started2000-2005HIV/AIDSinclusiveresponseforMenhavingSexwithMen(mainlyunderPaulRaymondBérengerprimeministership)
HIV/AIDSPrevention
OpposedtheSexualOffencesBill2007-relatedtorepealingofSodomyarticleintheCriminalCode.
OpposedSexualOffencesBill2007
MILITANTSOCIALISTMOVEMENT
History
TheMilitantSocialistMovement(MouvementSocialisteMilitant-MSM)wasfoundedonthe8thApril1983afterawingoftheMMMsplitfromthemaindirection.Duringthattime,SirAneeroodJugnauthwasPrimeMinisterintheMMM-PSMcoalitionduetoPaulRaymondBérengerproposinganamendmentwherethepowersofthePrimeMinisterwouldbetransferredtothecabinetasanexecutivebody.
TheMSMhasbeenthegoverningpartyinMauritiusfrom1983to1995,2000to2005,2010to2011andend2014tillnow.Economicprosperityduringtheyears1980'sismainlyattributedtoSirAneeroodJugnauthwholedthecountryasPrimeMinister.
Principles
TheMilitantSocialistMovementismainlyattributedtoeconomicadvancementofMauritiusduringtheyears1980'sandaccessionofMauritiustoaRepublic.Someofitsachievementsare:
-HelpedinmakingMauritiustransittoaRepublic-Sea-foodhubandcybercity-InformationandTechnologyadvancement-EntrepreneurshipforSmallandMediumEnterprises-Socialallocationsforthemostvulnerableofsociety
CommentsandRatings
TheMSMinvolvementasapartyinlocalpoliticsismostlymarkedduringtheyears1980's.Few(ifnone)broaderhumanrightsaspectshavebeenraisedbytheMSM.ConcerningLGBTQIrights,eithertheMSMstaysmuchsilentonthematterortheyopposeLGBTQIrightsastestifiedin2007andonward.
InfavourofLGBTQI|1voteAgainstLGBTQI|1vote
©YoungQueerAlliance|www.youngqueeralliance.com
2005 OppositionParty2005GeneralElectionsMMM-MSMcoalitionv/sPTr-(ex-)PMXDcoalitionunderAllianceSociale
TheMSMwasanoppositionparty.
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2010
LGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius:2000-2010Barometer
NandcoomarBodhabecametheLeaderoftheOppositionfromthe5thApril2006tillthe25thSeptember2007
OppositionParty(Main)
1.Hansard&GovernmentWebsite
1.MauritiusNationalAssembly:TheSexualOffencesBill,Availablefrom:https://mauritiusassembly.govmu.org/English/Documents/bill0607.pdf[10March2017]2.MinistryofLabour,IndustrialRelations,EmploymentandTraining:EmploymentRightsAct2008,Availablefrom:http://labour.govmu.org/English/Legislations/Pages/Employment-Rights-Act-2008-and-Regulations.aspx[11March2017]3.MinistryofLabour,IndustrialRelations,EmploymentandTraining:EmploymentRelationsAct2008,Availablefrom:http://labour.govmu.org/English/Legislations/Pages/Employment-Relations-Act-2008-and-Regulations.aspx[11March2017]4.EqualOpportunitiesCommission:EqualOpportunitiesAct2008,Availablefrom:http://eoc.govmu.org/English/Documents/equal%20opportunities%20act%202008.pdf[12March2017]5.GovernmentofMauritius:CodeofEthicsforPublicOfficers,MinistryofCivilServiceandAdministrativeReforms.Availablefrom:http://amb.intnet.mu/English/Downloads/Documents/Code%20of%20Ethics%20for%20Public%20Officers.pdf[15March2017]6.ElectoralCommissioner'sOffice:NationalAssemblyElections,Availablefrom:http://electoral.govmu.org/English/electionresult/nasselec/Pages/default.aspx[18March2017]
2.Newspapers/e-news
3.OtherReferences
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REFERENCESLGBTQIandpoliticsintheRepublicofMauritius2000-2010
1.PNQ-Homosexualit...,'PNQ-homosexualité:répartiesparlementaires…frigides',LeMauricien28June2011.Availablefrom:<http://www.lemauricien.com/article/pnq-homosexualite%C2%A0r%C3%A9parties-parlementaires%E2%80%A6-frigides>[14March2017]2.LeMSMciblelalégalisation...,'LeMSMciblelalégalisationdelasodomie',L'Express12April2007.Availablefrom:<https://www.lexpress.mu/node/193304>[14March2017]3.PravindJugnauthdénonceetcondamne,'PravindJugnauthdénonceetcondamne',5-Plus[n.d.].Availablefrom:<http://www.5plus.mu/node/12980>[14March2017]4.SodomyhaltsdebatesonSexualOffencesBill,'SodomyhaltsdebatesonSexualOffencesBill',L'Express12April2007.Availablefrom:<https://www.lexpress.mu/article/sodomy-halts-debates-sexual-offences-bill>[14March2017]5.Rape&TheSexualOffenses..,'Rape&theSexualOffensesBill:Aviewfromthewomen'smovement',Lalit25April2007.Availablefrom:<http://www.lalitmauritius.org/en/newsarticle/549/rapethe-sexual-offenses-bill-a-view-from-the-womens-movement/>[14March2017]
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