UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution supporting LGBT rights
Last Friday, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution affirming LGBT rights are human rights.
In the resolution, which is a follow up to the 2011 resolution on the same topic, the UNHRC expresses concerns about violence and discrimination against LGBT people.
The resolution requests the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights to update the report on “discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.”
The resolution was introduced by Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay and an additional 42 co-sponsors.
The text was adopted with a clear majority 25 states voted in favor, 14 against and 7 abstentions.
Opponents of the resolution, headed by Egypt, presented a total of 7 amendments that would have eliminated all reference to sexual orientation and gender identity from the text. None of the amendments was adopted.
Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP, Co-President of the LGBTI Intergroup-designate, added: “It is worrying that Egypt and other states claim that upholding human rights of LGBT persons is cultural imperialism. The basic principle of human rights is that they are universal and indivisible, this includes LGBT people.”
“The UNHRC showed its clear commitment to human rights for all, including for LGBT people.”
The European Parliament condemned Egypt’s suppression of LGBT people in a resolution adopted last July.
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Co-President of the LGBTI Intergroup-designate, reacted: “In the face of increasingly worrying anti-LGBT measures around the world, including in Europe, it is very hopeful that the UNHRC has adopted this text.
“We would like to thank and give our support to all those who made this positive outcome of the vote possible. It presents a very important step forward, as it confirms what is at the basis of the United Nations key principles: Equality and human rights for all.”
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