Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba addresses LGBTQ Conference in Germany:
Gets snubbed by Modi Government for the same?
December 26-
Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister of Foreign Affairs, shared on her Instagram account that she attended and addressed the 2024 Conference of Equal Rights Coalition in Berlin, Germany on December 17.
“Speaking at the panel on ‘Pathways to LGBTQI+ Inclusion in National Laws and Policies’ I shared my views on the inclusion and human rights of minority groups, particularly LGBTQI+ persons in Nepal. I also highlighted the relevant provisions and their impact on the LGBTIQ+ community, discussing how these developments might inspire or motivate other countries.” she wrote with the hashtag #ERCBerlin2024.
Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba praised Nepal’s progress in ensuring the rights of LGBTQI+ people during a panel discussion in Berlin, Germany. Speaking at ‘Pathways to LGBTQI+ Inclusion in National Laws and Policies’, she highlighted Nepal’s significant achievements through inclusive laws and their proper implementation.
She also mentioned that Nepal is the first country in South Asia to open the door for same gender marriage.
Though most guessed that the Modi government snubbing her in India en-route her return from Germany was due to Oli government’s pro-China stance, the reality, as some analysts believe is more serious than that. The Modi government which argued in the Supreme Court in 2023 for six months against same sex marriage legalization, did not want to shake hands with one who has proudly sided with the transgender movement.
In yet another Instagram post, she wrote:
“I addressed the panel on “LGBTQI+ in Feminist Foreign Policy” during the Equal Rights Coalition Conference in Berlin, Germany, where I highlighted the significant challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals globally, including violence, harassment, and systemic inequality. I emphasized the urgent need for a paradigm shift in policies, stressing that feminist foreign policy holds transformative potential.
In my key remarks, I outlined three guiding principles for advancing equality: rights, representation, and resources. These principles offer a framework to protect LGBTQI+ rights, amplify their voices, and ensure equitable access to opportunities. #ERCBerlin2024“
The German Embassy in Nepal has proudly featured Mrs Deuba’s address and Nepal’s leadership in LGBTQ movement:
“Human rights include the right to freedom of sexual orientation, yet many LGBTQI people still face persecution globally. In at least 67 countries, homosexuality is criminalized, and in seven, it is punishable by death. The German Government actively supports international efforts to combat violence and discrimination against LGBTQI people, especially through initiatives like the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), an alliance of 42 states and over 140 NGOs, where nations collaborate and lead discussions on how to safeguard LGBTQI rights. 
Germany, along with 
Mexico, served as co-chairs for the ERC until 2024.
It was inspiring to see Hon’ble Foreign Minister 
Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba at the 2024 ERC Conference in Berlin, where she highlighted Nepal’s leadership in LGBTQI+ rights. She shared milestones like the 2007 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage, making Nepal the first country in South Asia to do so. Nepal’s journey serves as an inspiring model for equality and human rights. 
#LGBTQRightsAreHumanRights #ERC2024 #nepal #germany #berlin“
Mrs Deuba can be seen and heard proudly recounting Nepal’s progress in this direction here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDsnqDwoBOl/
There is a now a growing awareness against the transgender movement in Nepal as a civic concern and common concern issue.
