Advertisement

UN body creates post on gay rights, gender identity

Click to play video: 'Violence towards LGBT communities around world prompts Human Rights Council vote at UN'
Violence towards LGBT communities around world prompts Human Rights Council vote at UN
WATCH ABOVE: Delegates at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday voted to appoint an independent expert to report on acts of violence and discrimination against people around the world based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The draft resolution was supported by 23 delegates, with 18 against and six abstentions – Jun 30, 2016

GENEVA – The U.N.’s top human rights body on Thursday decided to appoint an expert to monitor violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, a move applauded by LGBT groups.

In a narrow 23-18 vote with six abstentions, the Human Rights Council called for the creation of a three-year position for an independent expert to look into wrongdoing against gays, lesbians and transgender people. The expert is expected to be appointed at the next meeting of the 47-member, Geneva-based body in September.

READ MORE: Why some in LGBTQ community choose not to be referred by acronym

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“This is truly momentous,” said Micah Grzywnowicz of the Swedish Federation for LGBTQ Rights in a statement. “This is our opportunity to bring international attention to specific violations and challenges faced by transgender and gender non-conforming persons in all regions.”

Story continues below advertisement

The resolution benefited from strong support from Latin America and the West, while many African and Middle Eastern countries joined China voting against it.

The expert’s duties will include assessing international human rights laws, raising awareness of violence based on sexual orientation, and engaging in dialogue with member states and other stakeholders.

READ MORE: Turkey riot police fire rubber bullets, tear gas at LGBT protesters

“This will be a hard job,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said in a statement. “In more than 70 countries around the world, same-sex activity or relationships are still criminalized. In some countries, LGBTI persons are harassed and even killed for who they are. In the United States, we witnessed the human cost of this horrifying threat during the June 12 terrorist attack in Orlando.”

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association hailed the decision as a “turning point” that will boost international scrutiny of wrongdoing against people for their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sponsored content

AdChoices