Pretoria: Government says it has taken note of the recent developments regarding the situation of lesbians, gays, bisexual, transsexual and intersex (LGBTI) persons worldwide.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Tuesday said government would, through existing diplomatic channels, seek clarification on these developments from many capitals around the world.

In a statement, DIRCO said South Africa viewed the respect for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental freedoms as a critical pillar of its domestic and foreign policies.

“South Africa believes that no persons should be subjected to discrimination or violence on any grounds, including on the basis of sexual orientation,” DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela said.

South Africa’s Constitution makes it impermissible to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation. However, the country still faces its own challenges.

This has pushed government to adopt measures aimed at significantly enhancing protection mechanisms aimed at curbing violence against the LGBTI community.

Monyela said government has been focusing on ensuring that acts of violence do not go unpunished, and that perpetrators are apprehended, prosecuted, convicted and appropriately sentenced.

“Our Constitution makes it impermissible to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation; therefore eradicating hate crimes and intolerance in regard to this matter remains a key preoccupation of government, working collectively and with the relevant civil society organisations,” said Monyela.

Source: South African Official News