Human Rights Council – 59th Session.
Item 3 - Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. JST Spain.
Joint Statement of the Equal Rights Coalition.
Monday June 23rd
Mr. President,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of Colombia and Spain as Co-chairs of the Equal Rights Coalition, a cross-regional intergovernmental body of 44 member states dedicated to the protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people and to promoting inclusive development in both member and non-member countries. The full list of ERC members can be found in the online version.
We thank the Independent Expert for his report on the protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in relation to forced displacement. The focus of the report on good practices to address current and emerging challenges faced by LGBT persons throughout the displacement cycle is a clear example of the important role of this mandate in State capacity building and will provide invaluable support for States to address the impacts of forced displacement.
Despite global efforts to advance equality, LGBT persons remain disproportionately affected by displacement-related vulnerabilities — including criminalization, arbitrary detention, sexual violence, lack of legal recognition, and obstacles in access to asylum and humanitarian protection. The Expert’s call for adopting a rights-based, survivor-centred and inclusive protection model resonates with the core values of the ERC.
As mandated by this Council, over the past nine years the mandate holders have engaged in constructive dialogue with Member States and civil society as well as other UN human rights mechanisms, providing technical assistance, capacity-building and international cooperation to combat violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Mr. President,
Human rights are universal. They must apply equally to all people, in all places, and at all times. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”, and as such, no one should be subject to discrimination or violence under any circumstance.
These are obligations for all States and core principles that should guide the work of the Human Rights Council. Therefore, we ask all members of the Human Rights Council to recognize the simple truth that violence and discrimination can never be justified on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, and to support the renewal of this important mandate that makes an important contribution to ensure a world more just and inclusive for all
Thank you.