Wed 23 Nov 2016 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
The role of the UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) has been safeguarded, with the General Assembly voting against a resolution that aimed to undo the position. 84 states voted in favour of removing the amendment proposed by the African Group which aimed to “defer consideration” of the Human Rights Council’s decision to create a LGBTI expert “in order to allow time for further consultations to determine the legal basis” of the role. The vote had a relatively close result, with 77 states voting against the amendment and 17 abstentions. Learning that the African Group had presented such a resolution, LGBTI activists and organisations around the world mobilised and released a joint statement highlighting the need for states to respect the authority of the Human Rights Council - who had established this role - and urging the General Assembly to uphold the mandate. Close to home in the Pacific region, Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands all voted in favour of the SOGI Independent Expert. Following the vote Ryan Silverio, Regional Coordinator for the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus spoke about the work done by LGBTI citizens in the Asia and Pacific regions, who vocalised their support of the Independent Expert. “Today we are reminded of the fundamental mission of the Council, and the UN’s commitment to promote human rights and equality for all. We are encouraged by the open dialogue with ASEAN member states in the lead up of the vote, and are particularly thankful to Thailand for showing leadership to protecting this mandate.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 23rd November 2016 - 10:53am