He 29 June 2024, one day before the March in defense of the rights of LGBT people called in San José, the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, dismissed the Minister of Culture and Youth, Nayuribe Guadamuz, and to the Commissioner of Social Inclusion for having processed the declaration of cultural interest for this event, according to him, without your authorization. In the press release issued by the Presidency, It is indicated that the organization of the march had not requested, processed nor received permits from the authorities for its implementation, despite the fact that its organizers processed them several weeks ago and even held meetings with different institutions at the Presidential House.. This act only sought to discourage participation in the Pride March., what the spokesperson for the march described as illegal and populist.
In said statement, The Presidency also announced its decision to annul the declaration of cultural interest to the march. This decision was adopted just hours after several evangelical deputies criticized the declaration of cultural interest through their social networks..
Besides, he 28 June the Constitutional Court of Guatemala, product of a request for protection from a citizen who sought to prevent the holding of the LGBTIQ+ Pride Parade in the country, issued a resolution in which it ordered President Bernardo Arévalo and the State Security Forces to “ensure the protection of the spiritual and moral values of society.”, especially children, girls and adolescents”.
Both situations perpetuate the discrimination that exists against LGBTI+ people and violate their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.. As noted by the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, in its recent report Freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly: “Pride marches constitute an important form of cultural expression and serve to promote different causes depending on the context, how to protest against violence and discrimination, to celebrate resilience and community, and to increase public visibility”. to that extent, The limitation of these events undermines efforts to demand decent and equal living conditions, in any democratic system.
In the Guatemalan case, The malicious use of narratives about morality to restrict the human rights of sexual and gender diversities is observed with concern. The Independent Expert cited above was emphatic in stating that state mandates based on “good customs” grant authorities discretionary power to repress public expression..
From the LGBTI+ Litigators Network of the Americas, States are urged to respect Pride demonstrations and recognize them in democratic construction for the exercise and guarantee of the rights of LGBTI+ people
