Addressing Discrimination and Violence Against LGBTQ+ Individuals
Oral Statement for the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
The Advocates for Human Rights prepared an oral statement to the Human Rights Council for the interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Advocates supports the Independent Expert’s report, that highlights how legal restrictions and societal hostility impede LGBTQ+ individuals' rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. The statement emphasizes the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people in countries with criminalized consensual same-sex activity, where fear of arrest and social stigma undermines their ability to advocate for their rights. We urge all States to engage in public education to combat social stigma against LGBTQ+ people, implement mandatory training for systems actors on discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people, and ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals can fully exercise their rights without discrimination.
Read the oral statement below:
Mister President:
The Advocates for Human Rights thanks the Independent Expert for his report on the role that violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people has on their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. We echo the Independent Expert’s concern that both legal restrictions, as well as hostile attitudes limit LGBTQ+ people’s ability to advocate for the respect of their human rights.
In countries that criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults, it is understandable that LGBTQ+ people may not be able to join human rights organizations, speak out about the violations they have experienced, or demonstrate for their rights for fear of being further targeted or arrested on suspicion of having engaged in consensual same-sex sexual activity. Even in countries in which these laws are not enforced, law enforcement often uses the threat of prosecution to coerce LGBTQ+ people. In countries that have decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults, the threat of social stigma may prevent LGBTQ+ people from fully exercising their rights.
Therefore, The Advocates respectfully requests that all States:
- Engage in public education and awareness campaigns to combat social stigma against LGBTQ+ people;
- Develop mandatory trainings for law enforcement, health care workers, educators, and government officials on discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people; and
- Ensure that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression are able to fully exercise their rights.
Thank you.
