HUMAN RIGHTS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY – UN HRC RESOLUTION – 2011

The resolution recalls the global human rights obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

It also expresses grave concern at acts of violence and discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) across the world.

Finally, it calls on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) to:

  1. Commission a global study which documents discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their SOGI. The study should also assess how international human rights law can be used to address these human rights violations.
  2. Convene a panel discussion during the 19th session of the Human Rights Council. The discussion will be based on the results and recommendations made in the study.

VOTES

The Resolution passed with a recorded vote of 23 to 19 with 3 abstentions with the effect that study was to be commissioned and the panel discussion would take place. However this was not with the support of the South Asian countries, with Bangladesh and Pakistan amongst the 19 countries to vote against and India and Nepal not taking part in the vote.

 

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