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HRC SESSION 30 (SEPTEMBER 2015)- ILGA’S ENGAGEMENT

Geneva, 9 – 27 September 2015

ILGA’s involvement at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC):

Statements at the HRC

  • Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on the Rights of Older Persons
  • Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
  • Panel Discussion on the Impact of the World Drug Problem on Human Rights

UPR Adoption

  • Honduras
  • Jamaica
  • Liberia
  • Malawi
  • United States of America

Statements at the HRC

INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON THE RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS

This statement was prepared in consultation with 10 human rights organizations around the world, all deeply concerned about human rights for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons. It expresses regret that the Independent Expert’s report does not examine the distinctive challenges faced by LGBTI seniors. Challenges of specific and differing kind for intersex, transgender and LGB persons, depending oftentimes on the local context and traditions.

Research has indicated that LGBTI seniors are far more likely to live alone, face elevated rates of disability and poor health, and suffer from higher levels of mental distress than their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts. They live in fear of discrimination, violence and bullying, and remain fearful and resistant to accessing health services, often out of concern for being treated unprofessionally. Many are also scared to move into assisted living institutions or elder care, fearing that their identities, as well as their chosen partners, will not be recognized or simply ignored.

Click to read or watch the video of the joint statement by the Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit – COC Nederland, the International Lesbian and Gay Association, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, LGBT Denmark – The National Organization for Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgendered People, the Swedish Federation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights – RFSL, Allied Rainbow Communities International, European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Federation.

INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE WORKING GROUP ON ARBITRARY DETENTION

This joint statement with the Allied Rainbow Communities International welcomes the Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and in particular the enunciation of a much needed Basic Principles and Guidelines on Rights of anyone deprived of their liberty to bring proceedings before a Court. The Principles unambiguously state that when one uses the term ‘everyone’, ‘anyone’, or ‘any person’ you mean every person without discrimination including LGBTI people.

The reality around the world is that both sex workers and LGBTI people face arbitrary detention by state authorities based on nothing more than a deep rooted bias against sexual and gender non conformity of any type. This statement urges states to take seriously the illegal practice of arbitrary deprivation of liberty and ensure that the principles are incorporated into domestic law.

Click to read the statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered.

PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE IMPACT OF THE WORLD DRUG PROBLEM ON HUMAN RIGHTS

This joint statement with Allied Rainbow Communities International was prepared in collaboration with the Social, Health and Empowerment Feminist Collective of Transgender Women of Africa. In regards to the impact of the world drug problem on human rights, an often forgotten group that faces particular challenges in this area are Trans people. While challenges are faced in all regions, within Africa there are specific needs. Across the continent, there are gaps in quantitative and original research on trans women and a lack of data on the interaction between legal and illegal drugs, sex work and HIV. This statement calls on governments to specifically consult with and include trans communities when considering how to tackle the impact of the world drug problem on the enjoyment of human rights.

Click to read the statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered

UPR Report Adoption

During the 30th session, the Human Rights Council adopted the UPR reports for 14 countries including Andorra, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Honduras, Jamaica, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Panama, and the USA. ILGA worked with activists from HondurasJamaica, Liberia, Malawi, and the USA to prepare and help deliver statements during the UPR adoptions at the 30th HRC.

HONDURAS

During the second cycle of the UPR, Honduras received 8 SOGIEI recommendations and accepted six of these recommendations. ILGA worked with COC- Nederland and a wide group of Honduran civil society organizations in order to prepare and deliver an oral statement during the adoption of Honduras’ UPR report during the 30th session of the HRC. The statement expresses regret in regards to the government of Honduras’ refusal to accept recommendations to ensure that the Gender Identity Law that is currently before Congress is adopted and implemented.

Click to read the statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered

JAMAICA

Accepted recommendations: To step up its efforts to protect all citizens from violence and discrimination, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons; Take effective measures to investigate and prosecute all incidents and acts of violence targeting individuals based on sexual orientation.

During the second cycle of the UPR, Jamaica received 18 SOGIEI recommendations, but only accepted two of these recommendations. ILGA worked with an LGBTI rights defender from J-FLAG, a Jamaican LGBT rights organization, to prepare and deliver an oral statement during the adoption of Jamaica’s UPR report during the 30th session of the HRC.

Click to read the statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered

LIBERIA

Accepted recommendations: Implement provisions in the National Human Rights Action Plan for the protection of vulnerable individuals, including children, persons with disabilities, persons with albinism, LGBT persons, and persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS; condemn discrimination, particularly that based on sexual orientation and identity; combat all forms of discrimination and abuse against LGBTI persons.

During the second cycle of the UPR, Liberia received 12 SOGIEI recommendations, but only accepted three of these recommendations. ILGA worked in collaboration with a wide group of Liberian civil society organizations in order to prepare and deliver an oral statement during the adoption of Liberia’s UPR report during the 30th session of the HRC.

Click to read the statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered

MALAWI

Accepted recommendations: Take effective measures to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and intersex persons from violence and prosecute the perpetrators of violent attacks; guarantee that people of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities have effective access to health services, including treatment for HIV/AIDS.

During the second cycle of the UPR, Malawi received 18 SOGIEI recommendations, but only accepted two of these recommendations. ILGA worked with an LGBTI rights defenders from Malawi to prepare and deliver an oral statement during the adoption of Jamaica’s UPR report during the 30th session of the HRC.

Click to read the statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered

USA

Accepted recommendations: Heighten efforts to promote non-discrimination of any kind, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; keep promoting progress in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex issues, especially in preventing discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.

During the second cycle of the UPR, the USA received 3 SOGIEI recommendations, but only accepted two of these recommendations. ILGA worked with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to prepare and deliver an oral statement during the adoption of the UPR report for the USA during the 30th session of the HRC.

Click to read the statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered