85 nations sign UN statement defending LGBT people

[Only registered members can see links. ]

85 nations sign UN statement defending LGBT people
NEWS
Published 03/31/2011

by Rex Wockner

In what LGBT advocates described as "a stunning development for the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," 85 nations signed a pro-gay statement that was read out by Colombia's representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 22.

The statement "express(es) concern at continued evidence in every region of acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity" and "call(s) on states to take steps to end acts of violence, criminal sanctions and related human rights violations committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, called the statement "historic."

"As the United States continues our important work in the Human Rights Council this week, we are proud to recognize a historic statement, signed by a record 85 nations, reaffirming the rights of all people – regardless of who they are and whom they love," Rice said in a statement.

LGBT and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, and Human Rights Watch, hailed the action.

"Today's statement enjoyed the support of the largest group of countries to date on the topic of sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights," said the advocacy groups in a joint media release. "It builds on a similar statement delivered by Norway at the Human Rights Council in 2006 (on behalf of 54 states) and a joint statement delivered by Argentina at the General Assembly in 2008 (on behalf of 66 states). It is clear that every time these issues are addressed there is measurable increase in state support."

Nigeria's representative spoke against the statement, purportedly on behalf of the council's Africa Group. The representative said the terms "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" are undefined, talked about God, and said it takes a man and a woman to make a baby. At the end, however, he said that laws that criminalize sexual orientation should be expunged.

Pakistan also spoke against the statement on behalf of an official bloc of 57 majority-Muslim nations. Russia opposed the statement, as well, saying it rejects discrimination and violence against LGBT people but should be allowed to limit rights for reasons of public morality. The representative reportedly said that "these people" should not be granted "special rights."

In a separate U.S. statement, Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said: "The [Obama] administration has laudably reaffirmed its commitment to the philosophy that LGBT rights are human rights by joining today's statement before the U.N. Human Rights Council. With over 80 nations jointly participating in the statement, the message is clear that hate violence against LGBT people should not be tolerated by any government."

ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, called the statement "a very significant step forward towards international consensus on LGBTI people's rights."

"The strength of this statement makes the defense of discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexual, trans and intersex people on the basis of a mistaken sense of 'tradition' or 'natural order' more untenable than ever," said the group's co-secretary general, Renato Sabbadini. "Homophobia and transphobia are more and more acknowledged for what they truly are: the last crumbling pillars of a patriarchal order which belong with other dark pages of our past, like slavery and the Inquisition."

ILGA noted that more nations of the Southern Hemisphere signed this year's statement, and it highlighted the signatures of Dominica, Honduras, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Seychelles.

A statement from the White House said, in part: "Over the past months our diplomats have been engaged in frank, and at times difficult, conversations about the human rights of LGBT persons with governments from around the world. This morning, at the United Nations Human Rights Council, some 85 countries joined the United States in reaffirming our joint commitment to end acts of violence and human rights abuses on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The president is proud of the work we have done to build international consensus on this critical issue and is committed to continuing our determined efforts to advance the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

The U.S. State Department said, "This statement adds new references not seen in previous LGBT statements at the U.N., including: welcoming attention to LGBT issues as a part of the Universal Periodic Review process, noting the increased attention to LGBT issues in regional human rights fora, encouraging the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue addressing LGBT issues, and calls for states to end criminal sanctions based on LGBT status."

The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 states that aims to strengthen and protect human rights worldwide.

The nations that signed the statement are Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Barcelona Mayor Jordi Hereu unveiled a monument March 20 to gay and transgender people persecuted throughout history.

The large marble triangle is located in Ciudadela Park, next to the Catalon
Barcelona Mayor Jordi Hereu unveiled a monument March 20 to gay and transgender people persecuted throughout history.
ian Parliament.

"This is a necessary monument to remember the discrimination, repression, humiliation, persecution, attacks and assassinations that the LGTB community suffered for centuries and very especially during the Franco dictatorship," said Antonio Guirado, secretary general of the Catalonian LGBT umbrella group Gay Lesbian Coordinator. "We are honored as citizens to see recognized the persecution suffered, and above all the still-unmet challenge for social normalization."

Gay Lesbian Coordinator honorary President Jordi Petit added: "This is the fourth monument erected in Europe in memory of homophobic and transphobic barbarism – following in the footsteps of Amsterdam, Berlin, and the Nazi extermination camp Mauthausen in Austria. It is the only one in the south of the continent and is very suitable for the city that is the seat of the Mediterranean Union."

During a visit to Brazil on March 19, President Barack Obama joined with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to call for establishment of an LGBT rights "special rapporteur" (or special representative) at the Organization of American States.

In a statement issued three days later, the White House added: "President Obama believes that advancing the human rights of minorities and the marginalized is a fundamental American value. The president was pleased to announce during his trip to Brazil that he and President Rousseff agreed to promote respect for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals through the establishment of a special rapporteur on LGBT issues at the Organization of American States. This special rapporteur will be the first of its kind in the international system."

The OAS, which dates to 1948, comprises the 35 independent states of the Americas and is the principal political, juridical, and social governmental forum in the hemisphere, according to its website. The OAS charter says the organization promotes peace, justice, solidarity and collaboration as well as members' sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

Nations pledge movement on LGBT issues at UN panel

As the UN Human Rights Council continued its periodic review sessions on various nations, several developments took place this month.

Mongolia's representatives accepted recommendations that the nation address issues of violence against LGBT people.

Panama accepted a recommendation to synchronize its national laws with the norms of the "Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity," which were drawn up at a 2006 meeting in Indonesia by human rights experts from around the world.

Honduras agreed to review its national laws to ensure that LGBT human rights are not abridged.

And Jamaica agreed to provide enforcement officials with sensitivity training on matters of sexual orientation, gender identity and HIV.

At the same time, representatives of four nations – Lebanon, Malawi, Maldives and Mauritania – rejected recommendations that they decriminalize gay sex.

The Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review officially analyzes the human rights record of each of the 192 U.N. member nations on a rotating basis once every four years, and urges reviewed nations to protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Spanish students arrested over chapel protest

Four students at Spain's Madrid Complutense University were arrested March 18 by national police on charges of desecrating a place of worship.

Displaying slogans on their bare torsos, the four students and others entered the university's Somosaguas Chapel and read out a manifesto against recent homophobic and macho statements made by Roman Catholic bishops and the pope.

Local reports said at least one female couple allegedly made out near the altar. The church reportedly was empty at the time but for two girls, one woman, and the chaplain.

If convicted, the protesters could spend up to a year in jail.

Sixty professors at the university have signed a manifesto supporting the protesters and secularism at the university but not "the manner in which [the protest] developed."

Madrid's archbishop later staged a "healing mass" at the chapel that was attended by about 1,000 people.

Austrian Constitutional Court rejects gay case

Austria's Constitutional Court has rejected a case aimed at including gays and lesbians under laws that protect against incitement to hatred and against discrimination in non-workplace settings.

The court was asked to strike down Criminal Code Article 283, "Incitement to Hatred," and sections of the Federal Equal Treatment Act because they exclude gays and lesbians.

According to the group Rechtskomitee Lambda, Austria's government defended the status quo, arguing that incitement to hatred against gays and lesbians differs from incitement targeting religious or racial groups because the former lacks "dangerous close-range and long-range effects."

The court determined that because homosexuals are purportedly not directly affected by the lack of protection, the application for legal relief was inadmissible, the group said.

Kurt Krickler, secretary general of Homosexual Initiative Vienna, said he wasn't surprised at the outcome because "these are political and not so much legal issues."

He said measures to address the two problems had been introduced in Parliament, where one measure failed and the other may still see a vote.

Rechtskomitee Lambda said it hopes to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

"Hatemongers are still allowed to incite to hatred against lesbians and gays, and now even with the consent of the Constitutional Court," said the group's president, Helmut Graupner.

Russia and China were not on the list.

This is a nice statement but some of the nations on the list signed a statement recently reserving the right to put to death GLBT people so I am not sure what the point of this is as these nations taint the list with their signatures. Did they change their mind in such a short time? Rwanda? Cuba? South Africa? I am happy that so many nations felt it important but these nations who signed both petitions is what interests me. I would like to know more about their decision. Also...I notice India and South Korea are missing as well.

[Only registered members can see links. ]

In favor of the amendment to remove sexual orientation from the resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (79):

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brunei Dar-Sala, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, China, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

[fredv3b]

What on earth is South Africa doing on that list? It has gay marriage for goodness sake?

Unless the domestic media of countries in question take a serious interest in U.N. statements then frankly they have no consequence whatsoever.

[OrphanPip]

The South Africa thing is because the country is currently lead by Jacob Zuma, a blatant homophobic polygamist rapist. The South African constitution assures gays their rights in that country not the political leadership.

The back tracking of Zuma is just political, because he was harshly criticized for the execution vote, some saying he violated the constitution in doing so and he was attacked by the opposition party in their parliament over it.

[fredv3b]

Thanks, I had no idea he held sufficient sway to get the ambassador to vote in this way.

Originally Posted by OrphanPip

The South Africa thing is because the country is currently lead by Jacob Zuma, a blatant homophobic polygamist rapist. The South African constitution assures gays their rights in that country not the political leadership.

The back tracking of Zuma is just political, because he was harshly criticized for the execution vote, some saying he violated the constitution in doing so and he was attacked by the opposition party in their parliament over it.

Thanks OP! I placed this on my curious research list but unfortunately the list is REALLY long (I am really curious)...I appreciate the info. The duplicity makes sense now.

[princealbertofb]

An email from ALL OUT said this today:
"Our inboxes have been flooded this morning with the great news: today the UN Human Rights Council passed a historic resolution affirming equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This is a really big deal -- it's the first time that an official UN resolution has focused exclusively on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity. The resolution also commissions an official UN study on how LGBT people around the world are impacted by discriminatory laws and violence.
This victory was a long time in the making. Advocates and activists in South Africa worked closely with the South African government to introduce this resolution. A coalition of civil society advocates, including our friends at ARC International, pushed until the last minute for this unprecedented vote. And hundreds of you responded to our urgent campaign alert, flooding foreign offices around the world, urging this vote.
Together we made a difference.
From social networks to the streets, from court houses to the corridors of the United Nations, LGBT people around the world are fighting, and winning, the simple right to live and love freely. This global movement for LGBT equality is gathering speed. Thanks so much for being a part of it.
Let us know what this victory means to you. Leave us a message on our Facebook wall and read what others are saying about this historic moment.
[Only registered members can see links. ]
All the best and All Out,"

I heard on the radio today that this motion was hardly opposed by countries of Africa mostly and countries with radical Islamic cultures, not surprisingly. Therefore, I suppose it is quite a feat!!!

[jbrowder24]

I saw this earlier today too - this is great progress! As disconcerted as I get sometimes with all the bickering over marriage, etc, when I hear or read how gays are treated in so much other parts of the world, my heart really goes out to GLBT in these nations. That the UN is finally recognizing and addressing things is a very important step in making progress, and hopefully the progress only continues to grow.

[princealbertofb]

With fits and starts probably... I think what the world is showing us at the moment, is a need for more democracy and definitely a need for more human rights being enforced. In the meantime, France has just rejected gay mariage and makes us look like losers compared with such countries as our neighbour Belgium or even former Catholic countries like Spain and Portugal. Who'd have thought?

WOW! Cuba signed on...Bravo! There is hope! I think that China abstaining is also potentially hopeful.

Originally Posted by princealbertofb

With fits and starts probably... In the meantime, France has just rejected gay mariage and makes us look like losers compared with such countries as our neighbour Belgium or even former Catholic countries like Spain and Portugal. Who'd have thought?

Yes, the rejection of same-sex marriage in France is a poor show. Unfortunately there are some very powerful voices being raised against us. Marine Le Pen seems like a charming woman - not! Definitely someone to watch out for in the coming elections. France may be in for a bigger scare than in 2002.

Ms Le Pen said she was "totally" opposed to same-sex marriage and that the French people, not the constitutional court, should decide on its validity.

She said she believed that most homosexuals did not want the right to marry either.

"The vast majority of homosexuals are not demanding the right to be different but the right to be left alone," the far-right leader said. [Only registered members can see links. ]

[Only registered members can see links. ]