37. The Special Rapporteur wishes to note that the continuing prejudice against members of sexual minorities and, especially, the criminalization of matters of sexual orientation increase the social stigmatization of these persons. This in turn makes them more vulnerable to violence and human rights abuses, including death threats and violations of the right to life, which are often committed in a climate of impunity. The Special Rapporteur further notes that the often tendentious media coverage of this subject further contributes to creating an atmosphere of impunity and indifference in relation to crimes committed against members of sexual minorities.
38. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur has continued to receive serious reports of persons having been subjected to death threats or extrajudicially killed because of their sexual orientation. During the reporting period she sent urgent appeals in this connection to the Governments of Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Somalia, Jamaica, Brazil and El Salvador. During her visit to Honduras, the Special Representative had the opportunity to talk to representatives of sexual minorities and organizations working to protect and promote the human rights of these persons. Among the allegations brought to her attention, there were several reports of death threats against and killings of members of sexual minorities. In 1999, a young gay man was allegedly shot dead by private security guards close to a gas station in San Pedro Sula. When members of a non-governmental organization tried to report the case to the police, they were allegedly threatened and verbally abused at the police station. The Special Rapporteur was told that no investigation into this killing had been carried out. Similarly, in May 2001 a transsexual sex worker was reportedly murdered behind the San Pedro Sula Cathedral. While it is reported that the police removed the body from the scene, it is alleged that no investigations into the case have been initiated. Nongovernmental sources alleged that some 200 gay and transsexual sex workers were killed in Honduras in the period from 1991 to 2001. Reportedly, few of these cases have ever been officially recorded, and fewer still investigated.
link to the full text of the Report: http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/A.57.138.En
