FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY - HRC 49 Side Event

This side event aims to shed light on the success stories of defenders working to combat violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE), bringing together defenders as well as two UN mandate holders. The panel will reflect on opportunities and risks for these defenders, national level developments towards equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender-diverse and intersex (LGBTI) persons, progress of the current UN standards on these issues, and what can be done to address challenge.

Speakers:

• Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Independent Expert on SOGI
• Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
• Gloria Careaga – General Coordinator at Fundacion Arcoiris (Mexico)
• Khawla Bouaziz – Secretary General at Mawjoudin We Exist (Tunisia)
• Caine Youngman – Head of Policy and Legal Advocacy at LEGABIBO (Botswana)
• Jeroen Horvers – Project leader on youth & education at COC Nederland (Netherlands)
• Opening and closing remarks by the Permanent Mission of the Netherlands and the Permanent Mission of Mexico
• Moderated by: Julia Ehrt – ILGA World’s Executive Director