N.Z. SUPPORT GROUP FOR ALL TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE
www.agender.org.nz
AFFILIATES:- FtM AOTEAROA, AGENDER AUSTRALIA

Media Statement

7 June 2006

June 8th Day of International Protest over Trans Murder Hate Crime in Portugal.

Agender NZ has organised a protest at lunchtime today outside the Portuguese Consulate in Dixon St.

Spokesperson Claudia McKay said that this hate crime requires international protest not only because of the horrendous assault on Gisberta but also for the lack of action from the Courts and Government.

In effect the Judges decision to suspend sentences on the responsible youths gave carte blanche to anyone wanting to kill a transperson in Portugal, she added.

Gisberta Salce Junior was tied, beaten, sodomized with a stick and burned over a four day period and then dumped, still alive, according to autopsy, into a 10 metre deep, water filled pit where she drowned.

The Judge suspended the sentences on the 14 youth aged 10 to 16 because “Gisberta died from drowning and did not die directly from causes related” to the brutal beating she received.

“As trans people in a more considerate society, we have a duty to highlight this horrendous crime and to support our international community” Ms McKay said.

ENDS

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