Human Rights Council 50th session
Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
Statement delivered by Iceland on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries.
16 June 2022
Thank you, Mr. President.
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries.
We express our strongest support to the renewal of this crucial mandate and welcome the focus of the new report on the realization of the right to health in relation to the SDGs. Bringing a SOGI lens to the health-related commitments of the SDGs is paramount to “leaving no one behind”.
The right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights and the right to bodily autonomy, must be enjoyed without discrimination, including on the basis of SOGI and sex characteristics.
We would also like to underscore the importance of providing comprehensive sexuality education, including with regard to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
We strongly condemn all attacks on human rights defenders and civil society organisations, including those working to combat discrimination and violence based on SOGI and call on all States to create a safe, inclusive and enabling environment for the promotion of human rights and equality for all.
Mr. Independent Expert,
What advice do you have for States to address the serious gaps in the evidence-base regarding health-related discrimination and violence based on SOGI?
Thank you.