URGENT ACTION UPDATE: UN Joint Statement on Sexual Orientation & Sexual Identity

The joint statement recognizing human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity will now be delivered at the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday 22 March.  We need States to sign on by Friday, 18 March.

70 States have now endorsed the joint statement. This will be the largest-ever UN statement urging States to end violence, criminal sanctions and other human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

There are just days left to contact your government, urging them to support the statement if they have not yet done so.  Ask them to indicate their support by Friday 18 March?

Where are the lobbying priorities?

Critical States to approach (based on previous voting records and current “state of play”) at this stage are:

Africa: Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa.

Asia and Pacific Islands: Cambodia, India, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Nauru, Philippines, Samoa, South Korea, Timor Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.

Latin America and Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis.

Western Group & Eastern Europe: Armenia, Moldova, Turkey.

What can I do?

Contact your Foreign Ministry today! Contact details for the Foreign Ministry of each country can be found at EDiplomat.

Copy any message to your country’s Ambassador in Geneva. Contact details for the Geneva missions of each State can be found here.

Underline that 70 States have already endorsed the statement, which creates no new rights, and simply seeks the application of existing international standards to those who face human rights violations because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Point out that all human beings, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are entitled to equal dignity and respect. No-one should be subject to violence, harassment, discrimination or abuse, solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Please also forward this action alert to others. Don’t forget to encourage mainstream human rights organisations, friends, Human Rights Commissions and other allies in priority countries to contact their government and make their voices heard!

Questions or further information?

Please keep ILGA informed of your country’s response.  A coalition of international NGOs together with those attending the Council session may be reached at: coordination@arc-international.net and hrc16@arc-international.net, and updates to the sogi listserv (sogi-list@arc-international.net) will help keep us all informed in these critical last few days.

"Please contact your government today! Thank you for your work to oppose human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity."