UN Human Rights Council adopts LGBT rights resolution

On Friday, September 26, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution in support of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. The United States was a strong supporter of the action. Following, the remarks of National Security Advisor Susan Rice, and UN Ambassador Samantha Power, praising the adoption of the resolution.

Statement by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice on the action

The United States applauds today's adoption by the UN Human Rights Council of a resolution in support of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. The second such resolution to be passed by the UN Human Rights Council, today's resolution reiterates that LGBT persons are entitled to the human rights and fundamental freedoms that are the birthright of all humankind, expresses grave concern regarding acts of violence and discrimination against LGBT persons, and requests the preparation of an important new report on preventing such abuses. We thank sponsors Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay for their leadership, and commend the Council for taking another historic step to reinforce the unassailable principle that LGBT rights are human rights.

Statement by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the action.

I am very pleased that the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution today to combat discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. This is only the second time in its history the Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution on LGBT rights, and the first time it has done so with a majority of its members. This resolution mandates a much-needed UN report that will investigate and bring to the world’s attention the violence and discrimination faced by individuals around the world simply because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.  

This has been an important week for advancing LGBT rights at the UN. Today’s adoption is another historic step forward. Yesterday, I joined Secretary Kerry at the first UN high-level LGBT Ministerial event that was open to all UN delegations, as well as to representatives of civil society. The event was attended by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as by ministers from around the world. As Secretary Kerry said at the meeting, “we have a moral obligation to speak up against marginalization and persecution of LGBT persons. We have a moral obligation to promote societies that are more just and more fair, more tolerant.”

Across the globe, we still continue to witness acts of intimidation and persecution against LGBT persons simply because of who they are and who they love. Indeed, more than 75 countries around the world still maintain discriminatory laws aimed at LGBT individuals. We must do more to ensure that governments do not condone the jailing or killing of individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

The United States is proud to have worked with member states from every region in the world on this resolution, and we commend Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay for taking the lead in sponsoring it. We remain unwavering in our commitment to advance equality for LGBT persons at home and abroad. Discrimination against LGBT individuals exists in every corner of the world and we must continue working together to ensure that “all human rights for all” is truly a reality.

The Gayly – September 28, 2014 @ 11:50am