Domestic violence “highly acceptable” in Guyana – Amnesty International

According to the Amnesty International 2015/2016 report there is a high level of acceptance of domestic violence in Guyana.
Amnesty International also noted discrimination and violence against the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community remains a serious concern.
The report stated that the incidence rates of sexual and physical violence against women and children continue at an alarming rate. It noted that a Latin American Public Opinion Project survey published in 2014, had indicated that acceptance of domestic violence was soaring in the country.
Although the Guyana Police Force had registered 300 reports of rape for 2015 as of November, compared with 238 for the same period the previous year, the report found it alarming that the convictions rates were low. It stated that Guyana’s Women’s Rights groups have disclosed that the Police continually fail to take domestic violence reports seriously.
On the other hand, child rights are being infringed with corporal punishment in schools still being implemented. The report indicated that this is in breach of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, and despite consultations being held with the Government and civil society, the law remains unchanged.

Violence towards LGBT people
The report further said that there continues to be no legal protection against discrimination, based on real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Also noting that same-sex sexual conduct between men remained criminalised.
In July 2015, days after civil society groups held a candlelight vigil to mark the one-year death anniversary of two transgender sex workers, a transgender sex worker known as “Nephi”, was killed in Georgetown.
The report added that the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), a local NGO, continued to receive reports of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace.
It stated that, according to SASOD, transgender youths continue to be made homeless due to discrimination from within their home environment, while children’s homes lacked the capacity to respond to their needs.
It said that while Guyana had agreed “to strengthen the protection of LGBT individuals and to continue its effort in eliminating discrimination against LGBT people, starting with the review of its related legislation,” the reform of the Criminal Law Offences Act, was rejected.