The 41st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council ended on Friday with measures taken to address various issues including violence and discrimination against the LGBTI community.
The Council agreed to adopt a text with 27 votes in favour, 12 against and seven abstentions.
The resolution, sponsored by Latin American States, extends the mandate of the UN-appointed Independent Expert, Victor Madrigal-Borloz. A Costa-Rican national, he is tasked with investigating attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and gender diverse individuals, bolstered by the resolution’s call for all Governments to cooperate with and assist him in his work.
Heartfelt congratulations to the committed States and 1300+ civil society organisations for their extraordinary achievement – the renewal of the #IESOGI mandate at #HRC41. I am as humbled and determined as the first day to continue at your side in this, the journey of a lifetime. pic.twitter.com/O3LGPDfDsO
— Victor Madrigal-Borloz (@victor_madrigal) July 12, 2019
Some of the African countries that voted in favour are Tunisia, South Africa and Rwanda. Countries like Nigeria, Somlia, Eritrea and Egypt voted no.
Tunisia votes in favor for the renewal of #IESOGI (Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity), @victor_madrigal, Independent mandate and it dissociates itself from Organization of Islamic Countries position.
Congratulations to the international LGBTQI community pic.twitter.com/QMvDRPDQtw— Khaled (@MoonNeighbour) July 12, 2019
HRC Director of Global Partnerships Jean Freedberg said, “Today’s vote ensures that the vital work begun by Vitit Muntabhorn and Victor Madrigal-Borloz on behalf of LGBTQ people will continue, and that countries will be held accountable to protect their LGBTQ citizens. Yet even as we celebrate this victory, there is so much more to be done to truly protect even the most vulnerable among us, including transgender and intersex people — and to advance our path towards full equality.”
In addition to the Council’s 26 resolutions, voted on at the end of the three-week session, Member States heard reports and updates from UN-appointed experts on rights abuses in Burundi, Central African Republic, the Kasais region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Sudan and Venezuela.
