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HRC SESSION 26 (JUNE 2014) – ILGA’S ENGAGEMENT

ILGA’s involvement at the 26th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC):

Statements at the HRC

  • Panel Discussion on Women’s Rights and the Sustainable Development Agenda
  • Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Migrants
  • Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteurs on the Right to Freedom of Expression & on Peaceful Assembly and Association
  • Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism
  • Item 2: General Debate with the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Item 3: Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights

UPR Adoption

  • Chile
  • Dominican Republic
  • Viet Nam

Side Events

  • Women and Human Rights: A Trans, Intersex, Lesbian, and Bisexual Perspective
  • Human Rights of LGBTI Persons

Statements at the HRC

PANEL DISCUSSION ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA 

This joint statement by ILGA, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, and CariFLAGS, notes that States have failed to acknowledge the devastating impact of violence, discrimination, and marginalization on all women and girls. They have failed in their promotion of the right to development of lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex women. Click to read the statement.

INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS

This joint statement with COC Netherlands and Micro Rainbow International drew attention to the fact that LGBTI persons often migrate due to persecution and then face discrimination even after leaving home. They are frequently stigmatized ostracized from labor markets, and exploited sexually which reinforces their marginalization and humiliation. The NGOs called on the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants to include LGBTI persons as particularly vulnerable groups. Click to read the statement.

INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS ON THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION & ON PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION

This joint statement made by ILGA, ICJ, and ILGA-Europe highlighted the discriminatory legislation that impedes freedom of peaceful assembly and association of LGBTI persons and defenders such as in Nigeria, Ukraine and Uganda. Click to read the statement.

INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON CONTEMPORARY FORMS OF RACISM

The statement focused on the compound and multiple discrimination that LGBT people face and the targeted violence by extremist neo-Nazi and vigilante groups in Russia. Click to read the statement.

ITEM 2: GENERAL DEBATE WITH THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

In this joint statement with Arc International, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, and Organisation Intersex International (OII) Australia, ILGA commends the High Commissioner for the work that she has done in calling for an end to human rights violations of all persons including those who face violence, discrimination, and abuse because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and intersex status.

ITEM 3: PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS

This is a joint statement by ILGA, Arc International, COC Netherlands, and ILGA Europe on the promotion and protection of all human rights, including the right to development. Click to read the statement .

Joint Statement on the SOGI Resolution

During the 26th session of the Human Rights Council, ILGA facilitated the drafting and signature to a joint statement. More than 500 NGO’s from around the world endorsed this statement during the Human Rights Council calling for the UN to act and pass a resolution on SOGI issues. You can read the statement here .

Many States spoke on the same topic, including Argentina delivering a statement on behalf of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, México and Uruguay recalling the adoption of the first resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, and the Council’s need to follow-up with this issue. Read or watch the statement in English or Spanish.

UPR Report Adoption

The Human Rights Council adopted the UPR reports for 14 countries including New Zealand, Afghanistan, Chile, Cambodia, Uruguay, Yemen, Vanuatu, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Comoros, Slovakia, Eritrea, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, and Viet Nam. ILGA worked with activists from Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Viet Nam to prepare and help deliver statements during the UPR adoption at the 26th session of the Human Rights Council.

CHILE

Accepted recommendations: Review its Penal Code, namely article 373, and other laws in order to prevent discrimination against LGBTI persons; Support new laws and measures to counter discriminatory attitudes in society and to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by providing public education and supporting equality initiatives; Keep working on awareness measures, including in schools, to combat discriminatory attitudes based on sexual orientation; Make sure that sexual and reproductive rights are respected and protected (Chile stated that abortion is not a part of the rights of sexual and reproductive health for women.)

Rejected recommendationsPreserve and promote the identity of the family, recognizing its foundation in the union of man and woman, based on free consent; Protect the right to the family, being the natural and fundamental group of society based upon the stable relationship between a woman and a man.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 

Accepted RecommendationsAdopt legislation to protect LGBT persons against gender-based violence and discrimination; strengthen efforts and establish and implement policies and measures to address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Click to read the statement

VIET NAM

Accepted recommendations: Enact a law to fight against discrimination which guarantees the equality of all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Side Events

ILGA hosted a side event entitled “Women and Human Rights: a trans, intersex, lesbian and bisexual perspective” with the participation of activists from Australia, Malta, Peru, Venezuela, and Namibia. To watch a video of the event click here.

ARC International hosted  a side event entitled “Human Rights of LGBTI Persons”, moderated by a representative from Pan Africa ILGA. Panelists discussed progress and room for improvement in human rights for LGBTI persons in their region.