UN resolution on sexual orientation and human rights: IGLHRC.

On January 30, 2004, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) issued the following press release "IGLHRC Calls for Global Mobilization to Help Pass the UN Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Human Rights" to draw attention to this landmark resolution that specifically asserts that abuses on the basis of sexual orientation are human rights violations. However, while the UN Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva was in session and due to overwhelming pressure from the Vatican, Islamic States and the far right wing, Brazil withdrew as the prime sponsor of the Resolution. Nonetheless, as this issue was going to press, the UN Commission on Human Rights agreed, by a cross-regional consensus, to maintain consideration of the Resolution on sexual orientation and human rights at its session next year. This bittersweet victory was the result of dedicated lobbying efforts by a global coalition of NGOs and other allies who continue to call for support for this important initiative.

For the latest information and to support the resolution, visit the IGLHRC website, http:// www.iglhrc.org

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), along with a global coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has issued a call to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations and allies around the world to mobilize in support of the UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Human Rights. This landmark resolution is the first one in the history of the UN Commission on Human Rights that specifically asserts that abuses on the basis of sexual orientation are human rights violations. It recognizes the existence of sexual-orientation based discrimination around the world; affirms that such discrimination contravenes what has been established in major human rights instruments; and calls all governments to promote and protect the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. IGLHRC today called for its allies to join it in mobilizing support for the passage of this resolution which will be considered at the 60th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (March 15-April 23) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Paula Ettelbrick, IGLHRC's Executive Director said, "This resolution would be the first United Nations Commission on Human Rights resolution to connect the full range of human rights to sexual orientation, and to condemn discrimination on its basis." According to IGLHRC, the impact of passing this resolution is significant to show that sexual orientation-based discriminatory legislation is contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to global trends that increasingly call for condemnation of such discrimination and abuse.

Last year, in April 2003, the Brazilian delegation to the Commission introduced this historic--and unexpected--resolution. After prolonged debate, the Commission voted to postpone further discussion on the resolution to the 2004 Commission session. As a result, this coming March, 53 nations will sit in Geneva to publicly declare if they believe that all people should be protected from discrimination, persecution and violence--whatever their sexual orientation. IGLHRC, along with a coalition of NGOs is now working to support Brazil and other friendly governments to secure passage of this groundbreaking resolution. Key countries to target in this mobilization effort include South Africa, India, Costa Rica and the United States.

According to Susana Fried, IGLHRC Program Director, the resolution is "a key building block in the global understanding of human rights. It could be invoked to call on States to end all discrimination based on sexual orientation in economic and social rights, such as access to health, education and housing." The resolution would also encourage governments to take a more active role to prevent discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation such as murder, torture and arbitrary arrest and detention. It would help to ensure the protection of victims and help bring perpetrators of violence against sexual minorities to justice. The Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Human Rights would provide activists with another tool to hold states accountable to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

* For more information on the resolution and on how you can help mobilize support for its passage, please see the Action Kit on the IGLHRC website at http:// www.iglhrc.org under Publications/ Fact Sheets.

* IGLHRC has also posted a list of contact information for the 53 governments that are current members of the UN Commission on Human Rights, available at http://www.iglhrc.org under Publications/Fact Sheets.

* Further information is also available at the International Lesbian and Gay Association's website at http://www.ilga.org.

ILGA

Sign the Brazilian Resolution Petition!

Yes, I am signing this petition, in order to express my support of the resolution E/CN.4/2003/L.92 about "Human rights and sexual orientation" presented in 2003 by the delegation of Brazil at the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.

The resolution, to be considered again at the 60th session of the Commission in 2004, expressed "deep concern at the occurrence of violations of human rights in the world against persons on the grounds of their sexual orientation" and stressed that the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms should "not be hindered in any way on the grounds of sexual orientation."

I hereby support this resolution, which specifically:

* Calls upon all States to promote and protect the human rights of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation;

* Notes the attention given to human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation by the special procedures in their reports to the Commission on Human Rights, as well as by the treaty monitoring bodies, and encourages all special procedures of the Commission, within their mandates, to give due attention to the subject;

* Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to pay due attention to the violation of human rights on the grounds of sexual orientation;

I further express my support in favor of the inclusion of the term "gender identity" in addition to the term "sexual orientation" in the resolution, in order to take into account the numerous human rights violations committed on the grounds of gender identity.

* To sign the Brazilian petition online, visit the website of the International Lesbian and Gay Association, ILGA at http:// www.brazilianresolution.com/