Glädjande FN-beslut att förlänga oberoende hbtq-experts mandat
FN:s råd för mänskliga rättigheter fattade vid sin pågående session den 12 juli beslut om att mandatet för FN:s oberoende expert mot diskriminering på grund av sexuell läggning och könsidentitet ska förnyas. RFSL är en av de många organisationer som har arbetat aktivt för att expertens arbete ska få fortsätta. 27 länder i rådet röstade för, medan 12 röstade emot och 7 avstod.
- Dagens beslut i FN:s Råd för mänskliga rättigheter att förnya mandatet för den oberoende experten betyder att detta arbete, som är av central betydelse, kan fortsätta. Det betyder att hbtq-samhället globalt fortfarande har någonstans att vända sig till då det, på olika platser, möts av diskriminering och våld. Det betyder att det finns någon som lyssnar på våra erfarenheter och att de synliggörs på FN-nivå. Den betydelse det har att bli lyssnad på och känna stöd kan aldrig underskattas, säger Micah Grzywnowicz, internationellt sakkunnig på RFSL.
Det gemensamma uttalandet, efter beslutet, från 60 MR-organisationer runt om i världen, däribland RFSL, lyder i sin helhet:
UN renews crucial mandate for protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
In a defining vote, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert focusing on the protection against violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 27 in favour, with 12 voting against and 7 abstentions.
The campaign calling on the Council to renew the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on SOGI was supported by 1,312 non-governmental organizations from 174 States and territories.
– This is another historic victory, not only for communities of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, but for humanity as a whole, said Paula Sebastiao of Arquivo de Identidade Angolano in Angola and Simran Shaikh, Asia coordinator of the Trans Respect v. Transphobia project, on behalf of 60 human rights groups worldwide.
– Following the call from a record number of organizations from every region imaginable, the UN Human Rights Council has reaffirmed its commitment to combat discrimination and violence on grounds of SOGI and has reminded all states of their obligations towards these communities.
Created in 2016, the UN Independent Expert on SOGI has been supported by an ever-growing number of States from all regions of the world. The resolution to create and renew the mandate was presented by a Core Group of seven Latin American countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Uruguay.
– The renewal of this mandate demonstrates how United Nations States’ support for tackling violence and discrimination against people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities has grown tremendously, said UN Trans Advocacy Week campaigners.
– The Independent Expert is crucial in bringing international attention to specific violations and challenges faced by trans and gender-diverse persons in all regions.
Although the renewal process had to overcome 10 hostile amendments, the core of the resolution in affirming the universal nature of international human rights law stands firm.
– The existence of a specific UN human rights mechanism looking at SOGI issues is crucial for our communities to be heard at the global level, added Ryan Silverio of ASEAN SOGIE Caucus from the Philippines.
– If the world is truly committed to leaving no one behind, it can’t shy away from addressing the violence and discrimination that we face. Laws criminalising our identities and actions are unjust and should no longer be tolerated.
The UN Independent Expert on SOGI is tasked with assessing implementation of existing international human rights law, by talking to States, and working collaboratively with other UN and regional mechanisms to address violence and discrimination. Through the work of this mandate since 2016, the impact of criminalisation of same-sex relations and lack of legal gender recognition, the importance of data-collection specific to SOGI communities, and examples of good practices to prevent discrimination have been highlighted globally, with visits to Argentina, Georgia, Mozambique and Ukraine.
– Today’s decision of the Human Rights Council to renew the mandate means that this crucial work can continue. It means that our communities still have a place to turn to when they face discrimination or violence. It means that their experiences will be listened to and made visible at the UN level. The importance of being heard and supported can never be underestimated, said Micah Grzywnowicz, Swedish RFSL’s International Advocacy Advisor.
We hope that all governments cooperate fully with the UN Independent Expert on SOGI in this important work to bring about a world free from violence and discrimination for all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.
– During a recent visit to Ukraine, the Independent Expert has shown constructive and instrumental support to my government and the Ukrainian LGBT community by providing knowledge on how to protect us from violence and discrimination. added Inna Iryskina of Insight from Ukraine.
– This shows the undeniable impact the Independent Expert has on the safety and wellbeing of people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities around the world.
Facts about the expert:
The Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. The mandate was established in 2016 and has been held by Vitit Muntarbhorn (2016-2017) from Thailand, and Victor Madrigal-Borloz (2018-ongoing).