Urgent Action: DISCRIMINATORY LAW PUTS LIVES AND RIGHTS AT RISK (Guatemala: UA 23.22)

On March 8, 2022, the Guatemalan Congress approved Decree 18-2022, which toughens the criminalization of abortion, including for miscarriages, prohibits inclusive sex education and discriminates against LGBTIQ+ people. This law puts at risk the rights and lives of thousands of girls, women and LGBTIQ+ people in the country. We demand that Congress shelves Decree 18-2022 and refrains from pursuing the approval of any other decree that violates the rights of women, girls and LGBTIQ+ people.

TAKE ACTION:

1. Please take action as-soon-as possible. This Urgent Action expires on May 6, 2022.
2. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
3. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 23.22. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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SAMPLE LETTER Dear President of Congress, I am writing to express my concern regarding Bill 5272, passed on March 8, 2022, by the Guatemalan Congress (Decree 18-2022). Contrary to international human rights standards that oblige Guatemala not to discriminate against any person, Decree 18-2022 discriminates against LGBTIQ people by expressly prohibiting same-sex marriage, as well as teaching about sexual diversity in public schools. In a pre-existing context of persistent violence against LGBTIQ people, this law reinforces stigmatization and discrimination against them and normalizes it, putting the lives of thousands of people at risk. In addition, it would violate the right of children and adolescents to comprehensive sexuality education. Furthermore, by modifying the penal code to criminalize miscarriages and increase penalties and sanctions for women and medical personnel with respect to abortions, the law would put the lives of women and girls at risk; and would have serious implications for public health in the country, already so affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guatemalan Congress must refrain from promoting laws that foment hate speech, prejudice, discrimination, and violence. It must embrace its obligation to guarantee the right of all people not to be discriminated against, including on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and it must guarantee the right of all people to sexual and reproductive health, as well as autonomy in their decisions about their own bodies. Therefore, I urge you to shelve Decree 18-2022 and refrain from pursuing the approval of any other decree that violates the rights of women, girls or LGBTIQ+ persons. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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