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Human rights defender standing in fron of the UN building in Geneva ©ISHR

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Human rights defenders around the world urge States to #RenewIESOGI

1,200 NGOs from 167 countries and territories have urged the Human Rights Council to continue the mandate of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, up for renewal this session.

‘In every region of the world, widespread, grave, and systematic violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity persist.’

Human rights defenders and civil society organisations from around the world, including ISHR, have come together to raise their voices and ask for the renewal of the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI). 

In 2016,  the United Nations’ Human Rights Council took action to systematically address abuses based on SOGI by creating the mandate, renewing it twice, in 2019 and in 2022. 

Over the years, mandate holders have extensively documented discrimination and violence based on SOGI. They also sent over 171 communications documenting allegations of violations, and carried out 10 country visits. 

“A decision by Council Members to renew this mandate would send a clear message that violence and discrimination against people of diverse sexual orientations and/or gender identities cannot be tolerated. It would reaffirm that specific, sustained and systematic attention continues to be crucial to address these human rights violations and ensure that LGBT people are in fact free and equal in dignity and rights.”
Global statement delivered on behalf of 1,200 organisations from 167 countries and territories

The vote will take place in early July and ISHR, together with a global coalition are actively campaigning for the outcome to be positive. #RenewIESOGI!

Author

Elise Golay

ISHR contact

Fabiana Leibl

[email protected]

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