UN Human Rights Council Passes First-Ever Resolution to Protect Gay Rights
Today the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution on sexual orientation and gender identity, a landmark move for the council in upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The resolution was presented by South Africa, Brazil and 39 additional cosponsors—23 voted in favor, 19 voted against and three abstained. The resolution will call on the High Commissioner to prepare a study on violence and discrimination and then host a follow-up panel to discuss the findings. The UN joins inter-governmental bodies such as the Organization of American States in adopting a resolution condemning violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity has been largely ignored internationally. In many countries, legislation still exists that considers homosexuality illegal, including Pakistan, Morocco and Iran, and gays and lesbians face harassment, imprisonment and death. Moscow’s government—along with many other countries—has attempted to ban the hosting of a gay and lesbian pride parades. In Uganda, the parliament introduced anti-gay legislation in 2009, and in 2011 gay rights activist, David Kato was murdered after media antagonism towards gays and lesbians—his picture was printed with the words “Hang them” in a local paper.
Freedom House applauds the United Nations Human Rights Council for passing such a groundbreaking resolution on gay rights, and calls on member nations to work closely with the United Nations to investigate rights violations and contribute to the study.
Violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity has been largely ignored internationally. In many countries, legislation still exists that considers homosexuality illegal, including Pakistan, Morocco and Iran, and gays and lesbians face harassment, imprisonment and death. Moscow’s government—along with many other countries—has attempted to ban the hosting of a gay and lesbian pride parades. In Uganda, the parliament introduced anti-gay legislation in 2009, and in 2011 gay rights activist, David Kato was murdered after media antagonism towards gays and lesbians—his picture was printed with the words “Hang them” in a local paper.
Freedom House applauds the United Nations Human Rights Council for passing such a groundbreaking resolution on gay rights, and calls on member nations to work closely with the United Nations to investigate rights violations and contribute to the study.