United Nations Resolution Needs Your Support

First-Ever Resolution Opposing Sexual Orientation-Based Human Rights Violations Set For Consideration April 23

On Wednesday, April 23 the United Nations Commission on Human Rights will consider the first-ever resolution opposing sexual orientation-based human rights violations and linking anti-gay bias to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Introduced by Brazil and supported by South Africa, the European Union, and other political entities, the draft resolution on "Human Rights and Sexual Orientation" is the first such resolution in United Nations history.

The resolution supports human rights education inclusive of sexual orientation issues and instructs the U.N. Human Rights Commissioner to pay "due attention" to human rights abuses based on sexual orientation bias. This vote offers a historic opportunity to advance human rights for gay, lesbian and bisexual people around the world.

CALL: the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at and ask them to instruct the U.S. delegation to the Commission on Human Rights to vote in favor of the Brazilian resolution on sexual orientation.

WHO: Tatiana Gfoeller-Volkoff, Director, Office of Multilateral Affairs, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. State Dept.

WHEN: Before Wednesday April 23, 2003

MESSAGE: "Hello, my name is ________ and I live in ________. I'm calling regarding a resolution that will be voted on at the Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva April 23rd. Please instruct the U.S. delegation to the Commission on Human Rights to vote in favor of the Brazilian resolution on sexual orientation, titled 'Human Rights and Sexual Orientation.' It is important that the United Nations take a firm stand in opposition to human rights violations against gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Also, please strongly encourage U.N. member states to oppose human rights violations on the basis of gender identity."

BACKGROUND

Draft Resolution "Human Rights and Sexual Orientation" 59th session of U.N. Commission on Human Rights Introduced by Brazil

The Commission on Human Rights, PP1 - Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child,

PP2 - Recalling that recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

PP3 - Reaffirming that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the fundamental principle of the inadmissibility of discrimination and proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to the enjoyment of all rights and freedoms set forth therein without distinction of any kind,

PP4 -Affirming that human rights education is a key to changing attitudes and behavior and to promoting respect for diversity in society,

OP1 - Expresses deep concern at the occurrence of violations of human rights all over the world against persons on the grounds of their sexual orientation;

OP2 - Stresses that human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all human beings, that the universal nature of these rights and freedoms is beyond question and that the enjoyment of such rights and freedoms should not be hindered in any way on the grounds of sexual orientation;

OP3 - Calls upon all States to promote and protect the human right of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation;

OP4 - Notes the attention given to human rights violations on grounds of sexual orientation by the special procedures in their reports to the CHR, as well as the treaty monitoring bodies, and encourages all special procedures of the CHR, within their mandates, to give due attention to the subject;

OP5 - Requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to pay due attention to violations of human rights on the grounds of sexual orientation;

OP6 - Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its sixtieth session under the same agenda item.

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Founded in 1973, NGLTF works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society.