No one should be treated unfairly or subjected to any form of harm and abuse during COVID-19 pandemic - Haus of Khameleon

The Haus of Khameleon, a movement that is led by transgender women says that no one should be treated unfairly or subjected to any form of harm and abuse nor left behind, because of who they are or who they love during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The Haus of Khameleon is urging government and other stakeholders, to give visibility to and protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual, non binary and pansexual persons during the COID-19 pandemic.

The Director of Haus of Khameleon, Miki Wali says as they mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, this year’s theme on “Breaking the Silence” is timely given that the Fiji LGBTQI community is still reeling from the horrendous killings of two young members of their community in 2017 and 2018, with the cases still being investigated as they await justice to be served.

Wali says it is critical to ensure that the Fiji Police Force continue this investigation without delay, as justice delayed is justice denied.

Iosefo Magnus was found brutally murdered at the Vesida shortcut off Caubati and 23yr old USP student Akuila Salavuki was found dead along the Suva foreshore.

Police Spokesperson, Ana Naisoro says the Caubati murder case is open and still being investigated.

Naisoro says cases are not given a specific time frame for when it should be completed as some take longer than others and there are other cases of interest that are still open and still under investigation.

She says in the Suva foreshore case, the accused was acquitted by the court.

We have asked if the case will be reopened as the killer may still be out there.

Police are expected to provide a confirmation on this later.

Meanwhile, Wali adds that in Fiji, it is clear that the 2013 Constitution prohibits discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression and it is imperative that the state and all other actors fully recognize this aspect.

Wali says given Fiji’s recent appointment as Vice Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the state has a responsibility to also uphold, respect, promote and protect human rights for everyone in Fiji.

Wali says over the past decades, protection of LGBTIQA+ people and all people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions and sex characteristics, has greatly expanded.

Wali says this year in Fiji is also the 10th Anniversary since Fiji, became the first Pacific Island nation to decriminalize Homosexuality.

The Haus of Khameleon will be coordinating an online engagement with response to the COVID-19 pandemic, for Transgender and Gender non-conforming people in Fiji called #TransActionFiji.

This is a campaign to break the silence and provide spotlight on the multiple and intersecting forms of injustice and inequalities Transgender and Gender Non-conforming people experience but also to share messages of hope, resilience and solidarity to fellow LGBTIQA+ Fijians.