U.N. Human Rights Council elections: Why they are important to the international LGBT movement Continue reading
Tag Archives: U.N. Human Rights Council
Needed: International support for culturally savvy LGBTQI leaders
Advocates for queer liberation need to nurture a new generation of grassroots leaders who are well-versed in local culture, says Sri Lankan trans researcher Chamindra Weerawardhana. Only they can refute the conservative argument that LGBTQI rights are an unwelcome Western neocolonialist import. Continue reading
New coalition in Tunisia fights for LGBTQI rights
In Tunisia, 20 LGBTQI and allied activist associations met yesterday to form a new coalition to fight together for the human rights of LGBTQI Tunisians. Continue reading
U.N. rejects renewed attempt to block LGBT expert
By 84-77, United Nations countries today (Monday) rejected a renewed attempt by African nations to block the appointment of the first-ever U.N. expert in charge of investigating violence and discrimination against sexual minorities. Continue reading
Anti-LGBTI push at U.N. falls short
The U.N. General Assembly today rejected a plan to undo the U.N. Human Rights Council’s June decision to hire a watchdog to investigate violations of LGBTI rights. Among the countries supporting the LGBTI rapporteur were South Africa, which had earlier indicated support for the anti-LGBTI proposal; Sri Lanka and Kiribati, two countries that still … Continue reading
Opposition and delay confront anti-LGBT push at U.N.
The United Nations has delayed a confrontation about LGBT rights until later this month. At issue is whether the U.N. General Assembly will seek to nullify June’s vote by the U.N. Human Rights Council to hire a watchdog to investigate violations of LGBT rights. A large group of African nations, including Botswana and South Africa, … Continue reading
Anti-LGBT nations seek to end U.N. advocacy of LGBT rights
A confrontation over LGBT rights is expected to come to a head tomorrow at the United Nations. [Editor’s note: That scheduled vote has been delayed. See: “Opposition and delay confront anti-LGBT push at U.N.”] At issue is last June’s vote by the U.N. Human Rights Council to hire a watchdog to investigate violations of LGBT rights. … Continue reading
Zimbabwe prisons, Pakistan arrests, Belize delay
In Zimbabwe, National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda told Parliament that homosexuality in prisons should no longer be ignored as it spreads HIV and TB. He said that Zimbabweans are “too shy” to talk about the high rate of homosexuality in the country’s prisons, which are overcrowded and a breeding ground for diseases like tuberculosis. He … Continue reading
U.N. approves LGBTI rights watchdog
The U.N. Human Rights Council will soon appoint a watchdog to monitor nations’ compliance with U.N. principles designed to protect the dignity and human rights of LGBTI people. The European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights reported today: UN Human Rights Council votes for independent expert on LGBT discrimination In a 23 against 18 vote (6 … Continue reading
Proposal for Antigua officials: Repeal anti-gay law
The Caribbean nation of Antigua will soon repeal its law against same-sex intimacy, if the Antiguan minister of social transformation has her way. Minister Samantha Marshall told the local newspaper, the Antigua Observer, that she’s willing to make such a recommendation to the Cabinet. “I have no difficulty in making [such a recommendation],” she said. … Continue reading
