Dozens of transgender woman, including asylum seekers, facing abuse and discrimination in their countries of birth are not getting the respite they so desperately need when they reach the shores of America. Locked in prison-like immigration detention centres the American dream quickly deteriorates into a nightmare - locked up with abusive men, or in solitary confinement - exactly what they have been running from. With no consideration for their gender preference, they are thrust into a world of more hate and sexual abuse; locked in with their abusers. Sign this petition and demand that transgender woman be housed in units set up for them and them alone.
Forcing transgender woman, some previously abused into units where they are subjected to sexual assault and ill treatment is cruel and unforgivable. Having risked so much, having left everything behind in an effort to find peace and security, in a country that is meant to be accepting of all; to find that no-one cares of your gender, disposition or background is a cruel blow to their aspirations of a better life. What is worse, there is no escape from their new abusers - they are locked up with them, and have to face them day after day. But is not always their fellow detainees. With no adequate enforcement of policies in place to protect the rights of transgender woman, guards are also guilty of abuse. Routinely subjecting transgender woman to strip searches and harassment, they do little to intervene when harassed by other male detainees.
Human Rights Watch has documented 28 cases of transgender women who were held in US immigration detention between 2011 and 2015. More than half of the transgender women they interviewed were held in men’s facilities at some point. This is a gross violation of their rights. This needs to stop, and should never happen again.
In a country where rights of every kind are respected and protected, this stands out as a black mark against a progression and liberal government. We all demand equal rights, and we all expect that respect be shown, and given to all. That is why we are standing up for this human rights issue. This cannot and must not happen anywhere in the world, never mind U.S soil. We demand that transgender woman be housed their own exclusive units and that an independent oversight mechanism is put in place to ensure compliance.
Sign this petition with me, and let us stand against this blatant abuse of human rights. We demand compliance from the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. We demand that human rights be made accessible to all.
