by Stefano Gennarini, J.D.
Eleven countries announced they will continue to hoist the rainbow flag at the United Nations despite setbacks in recent years.
U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry and officials from ten countries promised to promote homosexuality at the United Nations in a declaration issued last week. The “Core LGBT Group,” as the eleven countries are called, committed to “concerted action” for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.
The statement commends countries that have repealed sodomy laws, enacted hate crimes legislation and have other special protections for homosexuals.
Kerry tried to be upbeat about the progress of LGBT rights at the United Nations, and described recent developments as “unfathomable” in a statement released through the U.S. State Department.
But the path to get nations to celebrate homosexuality remains a steep one, as homosexual groups have found out in recent years.
Despite intense efforts by the United States, the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are part of only one General Assembly resolution. That resolution is about extrajudicial killings, and even so, it always comes down to a close vote.
........................
Readmore: catholiclane.com
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
EU Remarks - United Nations:
High-Level Meeting of
the Members of the LGBT-Core Group
Summary: 26 September 2013, New York - Remarks by Ms. Mara Marinaki, Managing Director Global and Multilateral Issues Department, EEAS, European Union, at the High-Level Meeting of the Members of the LGBT-Core Group on The Role of the UN in ending violence & discrimination against LGBT-people
Compliments to the Netherlands for taking the initiative for this ministerial level meeting and the OHCHR for its leadership, an initiative that can count on the warm support of all the members of the LGBT Core Group, as gathered here today. This event, the first ever of its kind at the UN, can prove to be ground breaking.
Reaffirm the commitment of the European Union to the entitlement of all people, wherever they are, to enjoy the full range of human rights - and to do so without discrimination.
Around the world, the issues of gender identity and sexual orientation continue to be used as a pretext for serious human rights violations. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people are still subject to persecution, discrimination and ill-treatment - which often involves extreme forms of violence.
Around 80 states still criminalise same-sex adult relations, and a number of states may even impose the death penalty. Let us be clear: this is incompatible with international human rights law and we have an obligation to act on it. Also regarding laws that criminalise public discussion and/or expression of homosexuality. These are an unacceptable limitation to the freedom of expression, association and assembly.
LGBTI persons have the same rights as all other individuals: no new human rights are created for them and none should be denied to them. The EU is committed to the principle of the universality of human rights and reaffirms that cultural, traditional or religious values cannot be invoked to justify any form of discrimination, including discrimination against LGBTI persons.
The Council of the EU has recently (24 June 2013) adopted Guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons. These are at the core of the EU's human rights policies.
The EU Guidelines - based on international legal standards including those set by the United Nations and Council of Europe - provide for different tools within the EU's external action.
The four priority areas of action are:
- Decriminalisation and combatting discriminatory laws and policies,
- Promoting equality and non-discrimination,
- Combating LGBTI-phobic violence,
- Support and protection for human rights defenders.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario