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Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- The initiatives of regional organizations have led to constructive developments. The European human rights system has evolved greatly and proactively on the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights) has flourished, with important case work on sexual orientation and gender identity being carried out. Furthermore, a number of articles of the Convention, on such matters as the right to non-discrimination, the prohibition of torture, the right to privacy and the right to freedom of expression have been the subject of judicial deliberation. There have been a variety of cases before the European Court of Human Rights, covering a wide expanse of Europe and interlinking geographically with the furthest reaches of Asia, with much innovative thinking. In parallel to this, the European Union, with its Charter of Fundamental Rights, has strengthened measures against violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, including via the collection and collation of data through the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights to inform policymaking and action.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- The entry point for the mandate holder is action against violence and discrimination. This is based on existing international human rights law and its interrelationship with sexual orientation and gender identity; there is no advocacy of new rights for particular groups.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 66b
- Paragraph text
- For the second report, due later in 2017 for the General Assembly, the Independent Expert aims to address the key underpinnings outlined above in further detail. In this regard, Governments and other entities concerned are invited to send the Independent Expert relevant information by the beginning of July 2017 so as to enable him to prepare the next report on the basis of information from a range of sources.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- The ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, of 2012, stipulates that: Every person is entitled to the rights and freedoms set forth herein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, gender, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, economic status, birth, disability or other status.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 66j
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert is firmly committed to building bridges, that are anchored on the mandate, with a broad range of actors and stakeholders (governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental), and looks forward to constructive dialogue and cooperation, with more country visits — premised on international human rights law, reflective of local wisdom and resonant with the universal message of “diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity”.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- Other regional human rights instruments offer opportunities for advocacy against violence and discrimination. For instance, it is stated in the Arab Charter on Human Rights, of 2004, in its article 3, that: Each State party to the present Charter undertakes to ensure to all individuals subject to its jurisdiction the right to enjoy the rights and freedoms set forth herein, without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religious belief, opinion, thought, national or social origin, wealth, birth or physical or mental disability.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- The following initial recommendations invite constructive responses from a variety of actors, including States, in cooperation with other stakeholders:
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Diversity in humanity, humanity in diversity 2017, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- The following initial recommendations invite constructive responses from a variety of actors, particularly States, in cooperation with other stakeholders:
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 60
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert looks forward to interlinking consistently with a broad range of stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels, and to embracing diversity and energizing humanity, grounded in the commitment to multilateralism and international law, with the traction for catalytic cooperation and positive change.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 59c
- Paragraph text
- There is a need to build checks and balances, especially at the national level, to prevent abuse of power and to ensure compliance with human rights. States should explore collaboration not only with the executive branch of Government, but also with parliamentarians, the judiciary and other actors who may assist in weighing the various actions at the national level to ensure respect for international human rights standards;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- The present report builds upon the first report submitted by the Independent Expert in April 2017. Recent developments, particularly in regard to development of human rights law and practice at the international and national levels, intersectionality between sexual orientation and gender identity and other issues concerning violence and discrimination, dialogue and cooperation between the Independent Expert and stakeholders, are considered.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 53r
- Paragraph text
- The submission from the human rights Ombudsman of Guatemala called for more explicit integration of sexual orientation and gender identity into the legal framework as well as measures to counter the violence in the country. The extensive violence is much highlighted by non-governmental organization sources. Lack of knowledge of the law and difficult access to justice may also hamper implementation of a State’s anti-discrimination law.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 53n
- Paragraph text
- A non-governmental organization noted that the law on violence against women in Colombia 2008 covers violence against lesbian and bisexual women. There is also intersectionality with conflict and land restitution issues and action against racism. In Latin America, the legalization of civil unions and/or marriage is also a constructive sign of the times; same-sex marriage is legal in a large number of countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 53l
- Paragraph text
- While noting the criminal law impacting sexual orientation, a non-governmental source in Pakistan illustrated the varying context in the country, with measures from the authorities relating to gender identity, including the formation of a national task force by the federal ombudsman and a protection policy for transgender and intersex persons being drafted by the National Commission for Human Rights in cooperation with the transgender community;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 53j
- Paragraph text
- Spain noted that non-discrimination has been integrated into a variety of regional legislation, complemented by criminal provisions against hate crimes. There are a means for registration of hate-related incidents; special prosecutions in this regard; and a protocol of action for police officers in relation to crimes of hatred and discrimination;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 53f
- Paragraph text
- Germany has an anti-discrimination law covering sexual orientation and gender identity. There is emphasis on implementing the criminal law against hate crimes based on sexual orientation. It is now drafting its national plan against racism which will also cover the issue of transphobia and homophobia. It is complemented by a new law to give compensation to those who were punished for consensual same-sex relations under the Third Reich;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 53d
- Paragraph text
- The Ombudsman of the Plurinational State of Bolivia noted both constitutional provisions on sexual orientation and gender identity as well as range of local by-laws on this front. By contrast, the Equal Opportunities Commission of Hong Kong, China, observes that there is currently no comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status to ensure legal protection against discrimination for LGBTI persons;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- The checks and balances at the national level are particularly interesting, as seen in regard to the role of various pillars of the State which can activate the reform process. Behind all this, the important role of non-governmental organizations, human rights defenders and independent national human rights institutions should not be underestimated.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert is also in touch with the newly established Equal Rights Coalition, which is a coalition of 35 States reaching out to a broad range of partners based on the founding principles of equality, universality, international human rights law and open, respectful and constructive dialogue and cooperation with all stakeholders.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 25a
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert underlines the key role of civil society and human rights defenders and the need for more effective action to counter threats and reprisals against them. Of note is a submission to the Human Rights Council by a number of non-governmental organizations earlier this year, in which they called upon States, inter alia:] To review and repeal all laws and policies which, directly or indirectly, criminalize, stigmatize or discriminate against LGBTI defenders;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 8
- Paragraph text
- Second, the Independent Expert is totally conscious of the various sensitivities underlying the mandate. Effective responses on this front would have to be grounded in international human rights law and targeted against violence and discrimination. There is no advocacy of new rights. The modus operandi of the Independent Expert is thus to engage with a broad range of stakeholders, open doors, build bridges and offer windows of opportunities for constructive change.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 59g
- Paragraph text
- States should reform the laws, policies and practices which criminalize consensual same-sex relations, laws that criminalize transgender persons in relation to gender identity and its expression and other vague laws used to arbitrarily detain and harass LGBT persons. Pending reform, the preferred policy is to desist from applying such negative laws and policies. That is only an interim measure and is not a substitute for the needed reform, which should be undertaken efficaciously, guided by international human rights law. States should also take stock of other laws, policies and practices which may have a negative impact on people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, such as laws on public decency/morality and local practices, coupled with relevant reform to reflect international standards;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 59f
- Paragraph text
- The role of United Nations bodies, including the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights and the General Assembly, is pivotal in raising the issue of violence and discrimination and in addressing it through integrated measures, with due regard to the recommendations from the United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Independent Expert, as an impetus for follow-up action. The work of the Office and United Nations human rights presences is important and needs to be bolstered in countries and regions where there are major gaps in human rights protection. That work should be complemented by the catalytic role of United Nations country teams and inter-agency cooperation to help to ensure integration of issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity into programming and practices;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 59e
- Paragraph text
- The work of human rights defenders and the much needed space for civil society, including non-governmental organizations and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex groups and persons, calls for more effective safeguards from States against incursions and reprisals from those protagonists, whether State or non-State actors, which act inconsistently with international human rights standards. Cooperation with a multiplicity of actors, including the business sector, the medical/scientific sector, religious and faith groups and the media, including social networks, should be fostered on the basis of international human rights law;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 59d
- Paragraph text
- States should explore more cooperation with independent national human rights institutions, such as national human rights commissions and ombudspersons, to interlink between international norms and national settings. Those institutions should be supported as part of the checks and balances to prevent and overcome abuses of power and human rights violations, as well to access justice and remedies. They should be paralleled by regional systems and initiatives to help to advance protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 58
- Paragraph text
- In regard to the second underpinning, anti-discrimination laws and policies can appear in various forms: sometimes general, sometimes specific. Even with a law, there is a need to ensure effective practical implementation, which is correlated with the need for a holistic approach, interlinking laws and policies with responsive programming, case enforcement in the courts (coupled with strategic advocacy and litigation), effective and accessible mechanisms for human rights protection, resource allocation, information and data generation, education and capacity-building, accountability and redress, and space for networking, mobilization and participation for reform.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 53i
- Paragraph text
- In stating that same-sex relations are not criminalized in the country, Slovakia observed that the Constitution regulates the principle of equal treatment for all and there is also a national strategy for human rights promotion. Slovenia cited the new Protection against Discrimination Act 2016 which covers, inter alia, sexual orientation, sexual identity or sexual expression. Sexual orientation is also reflected in the Employment Relationship Act. Poland called attention to both the civil law and criminal law. There is an anti-discrimination act of 2010 which covers sexual orientation, while the penal code covers incitement to hatred and violence, encompassing sexual orientation and gender identity. This is paralleled by labour legislation, a national programme for equal treatment and data collection;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 53b
- Paragraph text
- The legal infrastructure of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland illustrates the range of possibilities. The 2003 Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations prohibited discrimination in employment in relation to sexual orientation. Its 2007 Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations prohibited discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services, education, housing and public functions. The 2010 Equality Act then included more generally “sexual orientation” among the protected characteristics;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 53a
- Paragraph text
- In Sweden, the Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity (and other grounds). There is an equality ombudsman to monitor implementation of the law and various criminal law provisions against homophobic speech and discriminatory statements. If the motive for the offence is related to sexual orientation and gender identity, this is an aggravating circumstance for more severe sanctions. New legislation is being discussed for stronger protection for transgender persons in relation to hate speech and hate crime, as well the issue of privacy;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- With regard to Africa, in recognizing that some 33 countries criminalize same-sex relations, out of 54, with many of the negative laws on this front a result of the remnants of colonization, constructive developments should also be identified. In the interim South African Constitution, sections 9(1) and 9(3) make express reference to sexual orientation as a protected ground for non-discrimination. In the famous case of S v. Kampher, Justice Ian Farlam nullified the conviction of a man who had confessed to having consensual sex with another man. Immediately after that, the Constitutional Court in National Coalition for Gays and Lesbian Equality and another v. Minister for Justice and others held that the South African “sodomy” laws were unconstitutional. In decriminalizing sodomy laws, the Court stated that prohibiting sexual conduct between gay men violated the right to equality. Other positive developments in Africa worth noting include the reform of the Cape Verde penal code of 2004, which eliminated offences related to same-sex activity and the decriminalization of homosexuality in Sao Tome and Principe in 2014. On a particularly positive note, a number of African countries have introduced legislation to explicitly outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or they have removed discriminatory provisions of existing employment legislation, including Seychelles in 2006, Mozambique in 2007, Mauritius in 2008 and Botswana in 2010. Several sub-Saharan African countries had never criminalized same-sex sexual activities between adults, including Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, the Niger and Rwanda.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph