Date: Fri, 29 Mar 1996 12:20:40 -0800 From: Ron Buckmire Subject: costa rica FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... Human Rights Decision Sets Legal Precedent for Costa Rica Gays San Jose, Costa Rica, March 29, 1996: In a first of its kind decision, Costa Rica=B4s "Defensoria de los= Habitantes" has ruled that=20 the Costa Rican government, may not deny legal recognition to gays and= other minorities. The "Registro Civil" of the government here considers applications for all legal charters. In the decision, signed on March 10th by Rodrigo Carrazo, Director of the Agency, the Defensoria ruled that the original decision by the Registro Civil to deny legal recognition of Triangulo Rosa gay group, is in violation of the country=B4= s constitution=20 which guarantees the right of association to all citizens. The National Register had eventually bowed to international pressure and granted Triangulo Rosa its charter, but the gay group continued to pursue this situation on a legal level through its attorney, human rights advocate Marco Castillo. Thus, all future gay groups, as well as other minorities, are guaranteed this right and no individual employee of the government may make a decision to the contrary, as occurred originally with Triangulo Rosa. Decisions made by the Defensoria are legally binding. Triangulo Rosa President Francisco Madrigal said that "we are extremely pleased with this decision and we hope it will set a human rights precedent in all Central and Latin American countries. Gays in this region continue to suffer abuses legally as well as socially." Triangulo Rosa hold activities each night of the week in its community center in Alajuela.=20 For more information, call 442-7375 or send e-mail to= rastern@so.racsa.co.cr. Mailing address is Apartado 1619-4050, Alajuela, Costa Rica, Central= America.