Peru ordered to compensate raped transgender woman

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) found in a decision released this week that Peru owed damages to Azul Rojas Martin, a transgender woman who was imprisoned and tortured by Peruvian authorities. A Jurist report notes that Rojas Martin was detained by authorities in February 2008, stripped of her clothes and beat as authorities screamed and insulted her for being transgender. In its decision, the court noted the long history of discrimination and abuse against LGBT people. They also reiterated that LGBT people are part of a protected class and that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity will not be tolerated by the court. The court ordered Peru to investigate and try the officers who attacked Rojas Martin. In addition, they are required to create an efficient way to investigate and punish people who commit anti-LGBT crimes. They also are asked to create educational programmes for offenders to create awareness about the LGBT community. Finally, they are required to pay for Rojas Martin’s therapy and an undisclosed amount of money in reparations.