In a statement to the Human Rights Council, a group of civil society organisations urged the Office of the High Commissioner to do more to ensure we can all be free and equal, regardless of our sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.
While welcoming the recognition by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the specific impacts of the COVID19 pandemic on LGBTI persons and the guidance provided to States on how to address the situation, civil society organisations called on the High Commissioner to continue to specifically include LGBTI issues in future actions on COVID19.
The joint verbal statement, built on a joint written statement submitted by 187 organisations in the lead up the Council session which addressed the specific impacts of the pandemic and measures taken by governments to address it on the LGBTI community and defenders. ‘National policies addressing COVID-19 and its economic consequences have had disparate and discriminatory impacts on LGBTI persons and those who defend their rights. At the same time LGBTI rights defenders and organisations have been on the front lines, filling gaps and providing essential services for their communities during the pandemic’ said ISHR’s Tess McEvoy.
The ASPIRE Guidelines on COVID-19 published by the UN Independent Expert on SOGI, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, which make recommendations for governments to support LGBTI defenders, learn from their achievements and ensure LGBT voices are represented and reflected at all stages of the elaboration of COVID-19 response measures, were a welcome development in this regard.
‘Despite all efforts and campaigns to date, the rights of LGBTI persons and defenders continue to be systematically violated. COVID has only exacerbated these challenges. LGBTI defenders and organisations need to be genuinely consulted at all stages of the development of responses to COVID-19 for them to be effective.’
Read the full statement here.
Contact: Tess McEvoy, [email protected].
Photo: ISHR.
At the 55th Human Rights Council session, civil society organisations share reflections on key outcomes and highlight gaps in addressing crucial issues and situations. Full written version below.
At the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, during the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Cape Verde, ISHR and the Cape Verde Network of Human Rights Defenders (RECADDH) delivered a statement calling on Cape Verde to promote the work of defenders and journalists and provide them with a safe environment.
In a historic ruling on 4 October 2023, the Supreme Court of Mauritius declared prohibitions of sodomy unconstitutional. This landmark decision marked a significant advancement for LGBTQI+ rights in the country.
