On Thursday in the state of Guárico, the governments of Venezuela and England held their first ever Workshop on the Promotion of Human Rights for Homosexuals and Transgendered People, an event directed toward Venezuelan law enforcement agents.

The activity was aimed at promoting a resolution on human rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people through the Ministry of People’s Power for the Interior and Justice.

The coordinator of the Affirmative Civil Union Association, José Merentes, said that this is the first event of its kind to take place in Venezuela with the support of the British Embassy, and announced that another workshop would soon be held in the western state of Táchira.

“Homosexuals and transgendered people are citizens and have the same rights as the rest of the population, and for that reason they should not be discriminated against by anyone, much less by the police forces,” Merentes said.

Meanwhile, the chief of police for the British Embassy in Venezuela, Mathew Ebel, said that the Venezuelan constitution is very strong regarding respect for human rights, and that these kinds of activities could serve to raise awareness about the issue.

Ebel added that the workshop seeks to protect the homosexual and transgender population from mistreatment or discrimination, saying that “the police play an essential role in this task.”

The chief of police for the state of Guárico, Jorge Arzola, explained that 20 police officials participated in the workshop, and that they will help train their colleagues in each of the police zones.

“This allows our men and women to increase their level of professionalism, particularly in regard to cases involving gays or transgendered people,” Arzola said.

YVKE Mundial / Press Office – Venezuelan Embassy to the U.S. / January 27, 2012