The UN Speaks

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) spoke out the other day against discrimination to LGBT people.

Ending violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex peopleUnited Nations entities call on States to act urgently to end violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) adults, adolescents and children.

All people have an equal right to live free from violence, persecution, discrimination and stigma. International human rights law establishes legal obligations on States to ensure that every person, without distinction, can enjoy these rights. While welcoming increasing efforts in many countries to protect the rights of LGBTI people, we remain seriously concerned that around the world, millions of LGBTI individuals, those perceived as LGBTI and their families face widespread human rights violations. This is cause for alarm – and action.

Failure to uphold the human rights of LGBTI people and protect them against abuses such as violence and discriminatory laws and practices, constitute serious violations of international human rights law and have a far-reaching impact on society – contributing to increased vulnerability to ill health including HIV infection, social and economic exclusion, putting strain on families and communities, and impacting negatively on economic growth, decent work and progress towards achievement of the future Sustainable Development Goals. States bear the primary duty under international law to protect everyone from discrimination and violence. These violations therefore require an urgent response by governments, parliaments, judiciaries and national human rights institutions. Community, religious and political leaders, workers’ organizations, the private sector, health providers, civil society organizations and the media also have important roles to play. Human rights are universal – cultural, religious and moral practices and beliefs and social attitudes cannot be invoked to justify human rights violations against any group, including LGBTI persons.

They go on to say,

REPEALING DISCRIMINATORY LAWS
States should respect international human rights standards, including by reviewing, repealing and establishing a moratorium on the application of:

• Laws that criminalize same-sex conduct between consenting adults;
• Laws that criminalize transgender people on the basis of their gender expression;
• Other laws used to arrest, punish or discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

In 76 countries, laws still criminalize consensual same-sex relationships between adults, exposing individuals to the risk of arbitrary arrest, prosecution, imprisonment – even the death penalty, in at least five countries. Laws criminalizing cross-dressing are used to arrest and punish transgender people. Other laws are used to harass, detain, discriminate or place restrictions on the freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. These discriminatory laws contribute to perpetuating stigma and discrimination, as well as hate crime, police abuse, torture and ill-treatment, family and community violence, and negatively affect public health by impeding access to health and HIV services.

But all is not copacetic, they appointed a fox to be in charge of the hen house, according to Forex Report Daily,

Selection of Saudia Arabia to head United Nations human rights panel sparks anger
By Alex Crown
September 22, 2015

The Saudi ambassador to the UN Faisal bin Hassan Trad, has been appointed to the Chair of an independent panel of experts to the Human Rights Council. A petition was also launched Monday demanding that “Saudi Arabia be removed from any positions of influence or decision making in any United Nation panel or forum on human rights”.

Hillel C. Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch, said on Sunday that the appointment will undermine the legitimacy of the council, noting that the Riyadh regime has “the worst record in the world when it comes to religious freedom and women’s rights”.

And to make matters worse,

Truth be told, a country that has not signed the worldwide Bill of Human Rights, the convention relating to the Status of Refugees, global Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombing and global Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, does not seem to fit to head such a crucial panel. He was lucky to avoid chemical castration or execution, both of which have previously been meted out to those convicted of offences related to homosexuality.

So it is iffy we will see any more of these press releases condemning discrimination against LGBT people.