UN: Human Rights Council passes landmark LGBT rights resolution

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The United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a landmark resolution condemning violence and discrimination against LGBT people.

The resolution expresses grave concern “at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.”

It also welcomes “positive developments at the international, regional and national levels in the fight against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity”

The resolution, proposed in early September, passed with support from 25 countries (Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Montenegro, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, Romania, South Africa, FYR Macedonia, the UK, the US, Venezuela and Vietnam).

14 countries voted against the motion (Algeria, Botswana, Cote D’ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Indonesia, Kenya, Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and UAE), while 7 countries including China and India abstained.

Only some UN members have a seat on the Human Rights Council.

Jessica Stern of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said: “The Human Rights Council has taken a fundamental step forward by reaffirming one of the United Nations’ key principles – that everyone is equal in dignity and rights.

“This resolution puts the UN on a trajectory to address the discrimination and violence LGBT persons suffer daily across the world.”

View the resolution below:


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