GCN__February_2018

On the
FRONT LINES
In countries where members of the LGBT+ community are
systematically attacked, arrested, tortured and murdered, there
are courageous activists who stand up to advance queer rights,
sometimes at great personal cost. Here Stephen McCabe
meets just six poweful individuals on the frontlines of the ight
for a world of acceptance.
BOUHDID BELHEDI (Tunisia)
LGBT HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
Association SHAMS (winner of GALAS International Award, 2017)
“
Forced anal testing is
theoretically banned, but it
is still a widespread practice
throughout Tunisia.
“I was the first activist to appear on TV to talk
about the LGBT situation in Tunisia. Following my
appearances I received multiple threats from the
government and also from extremists. I am no longer
safe in my hometown, so thanks to a grant I was able
to get rehoused.
Our organisation SHAMS is the only organisation
to talk publicly about LGBT rights. As a result of
our media activism we have begun to educate the
Tunisian people about our struggle.
The main challenges Tunisian LGBT people face
are Article 230 [of the Penal Code] which criminalises
gay people, and the anal test for homosexuality.
Forced anal testing is theoretically banned, but it
is still a widespread practice throughout Tunisia. A
person can refuse the anal test, but if you do, an
inference will be drawn from that.
The Tunisian president has stated clearly that he
is against abolishing Article 230 and all the deputies
in our parliament are currently opposed to removing
it. The only chance available to us is through the
constitutional court, which is an independent
institution.
Things have changed since the revolution. With the
creation of SHAMS we can now publicly talk about
our issues. We have won the freedom to express our
opinion and the freedom to create associations like
SHAMS, who talk about delicate subjects. But we
have a lot more to achieve.
I recently called on the EU to stop all diplomatic
and economic exchanges with Tunisia until Article
230 and the anal test are repealed. We work with
other international organisations who help us to
build pressure. It is very important to work at this
level as the government is quite sensitive to how it’s
perceived. The EU delegation in Tunisia is one of our
partners and LGBT rights are one of their priorities.
This is very encouraging.”
30 g