New gender identity recognition law, “a great step for the protection of trans rights”

by time news
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“The approval in Finland of a law that eliminates the harmful requirements that demanded to the persons trans Enduring invasive medical and psychiatric procedures to gain recognition of their gender identity is a major victory for equality,” Amnesty International said today.

The new law —approved by 113 votes in favor and 69 against— abolishes the requirement imposed on trans people to be sterilized and obtain a psychiatric diagnosis to obtain legal recognition of gender identity.

“By passing this law, Finland has taken a big step towards protecting the rights of trans people and improving their lives and their right to self-determination,” said Matti Pihlajamaa, LGBTI Rights Adviser at Amnesty International Finland.

“The vote has been the result of more than a decade of campaigning by civil society groups and is testament to the commitment of activists who have fought hard for a long time, often in the face of toxic rhetoric, to make this day a reality.”

According to current legislation in Finland, which violates the European Convention on Human Rights, to obtain legal recognition of gender identity, the affected person must provide proof of infertility. Under the new law, such recognition will be available to adults who submit a written request after a mandatory 30-day “cooling-off period”.

However, despite this significant advance, the new law only introduces a system of legal recognition of gender identity for adults.

“Although this new law has a huge and positive impact, and provides an important foundation for non-discrimination, much remains to be done,” said Matti Pihlajamaa.

“Excluding minors from legal recognition of gender identity violates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We will continue to call on the government to amend the legislation accordingly to ensure it promotes children’s rights.”

Additional information

In 2017, Finland’s trans law was part of Write for Rights, Amnesty International’s largest annual campaign. The organization called on the Finnish authorities to make the process of legal recognition of gender identity fast, accessible and respectful of human rights. The petition was signed by more than 347,000 people from around the world.

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