Over 200 people, including representatives of 50 States, recently attended an historic High Level Panel on ‘Human Rights Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’, as part the 11th Session of the Human Rights Council, held this month in Geneva.

The High Level Panel was convened to discuss how best the UN Human Rights Council can address the human rights violations faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, which include killings, torture, rape, arbitrary detention, criminal sanctions and discrimination in accessing economic, social and cultural rights.

It follows a recent joint statement to the UN General Assembly, supported by 67 States from all regions of the world, calling for action to end to these abuses – the first time the body has formally addressed rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Ms Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, opened the High Level Panel on 12 June by stating that common ground to confront such violations could be found in the broad consensus that “no-one should be denied their human rights on any ground.”

She also predicted that one day “ingrained prejudices” relating to sexual orientation and gender identity would be viewed in the same way as the discriminatory attitudes that fuel racism and sexism.

Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, emphasised that criminal sanctions against homosexuality violate international rights to privacy and non-discrimination, and undermine the struggle against HIV/AIDS.

Professor Michael O’Flaherty, Rapporteur of the Yogyakarta Experts Group, identified a range of proactive steps that States could take to promote the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, including greater engagement on these issues at the Human Rights Council, integrating these issues into the UPR and treaty body reporting, and advancing the dialogue through a high-level experts meeting.

Other speakers at the event included Reine Alapini-Gansou, Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders; Justus Eisfeld, representing Global Advocates for Transgender Equality; and Neha Sood of Youth Coalition.

Civil society and government participants welcomed the open and frank discussion at the High Level Panel, describing it as a significant step forward in building awareness and understanding of the issues within the UN environment.

APF regional meeting

The event came just a month after national human rights institutions (NHRIs) from across the Asia Pacific region met to share experiences and strategies in responding to discrimination and human rights violations experienced by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Bringing together participants from the national institutions of Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Jordan, Nepal, New Zealand, Palestine, Korea and Thailand, the APF regional workshop also aimed to increase understanding and implementation of the Yogyakarta Principles.

To build on the progress made at the meeting, participating NHRIs requested that the APF and its Secretariat:

• ask the Advisory Council of Jurists to review national laws in the countries of APF members, determine if they are consistent with international human rights standards relating to sexual orientation and gender identity and advise what amendments may be required
• facilitate the exchange of information among member institutions on their human rights work in relation to sexual orientation and gender diversity
• assist member institutions to build their knowledge and awareness of human rights in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity, through training programs and staff exchanges
• include the Yogyakarta workshop as an agenda item at the APF Annual Meeting in 2010 and invite each APF member institution to provide a report on its activities in relation to human rights and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Find out more

• APF Workshop Conclusions and Workshop papers presented by NHRIs and other participants
• Yogyakarta Principles
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity – APF Issues