Statement by the UN LGBTI Core Group at the Third Committee Agenda Item 71: Promotion and protection of human rights General Discussion, delivered by the Permanent Representative of Sweden, H.E. Ms. Nicola Clase.
Chairperson,
I’m delivering this on behalf of the 42 members of the UN LGBTI Core Group. The following countries have also joined the statement: Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Palau, Poland, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Chair,
The overarching goal of the UN LGBTI Core Group is to work within the United Nations to ensure universal respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms for all –without distinction, regardless of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics. The Group has a particular focus on protection from violence and discrimination.
As Member States have adopted the Pact for the Future, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the universality of human rights, and to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Together they serve as a global blueprint for equality, fundamental freedoms and justice for all. They also serve as a foundation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The 2030 Agenda is intimately linked with the recognition of human rights, as well as the realization of its pledge of leaving no one behind. The LGBTI Core Group understands that the full and effective implementation of the Agenda is only possible with the full decriminalization of all sexual orientations and gender identities globally. As Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia; “The criminalization of same-sex relationships must end, so must all violence, discrimination and harmful practices against LGBTIQ+ communities.”
Chair,
Since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, 17 countries have decriminalized consensual same sex relations and one country has repealed a law criminalizing trans persons. The global trend is clear. However, today, while we are already in the decade of action, 60 countries still criminalize consensual same sex relations, and at least 49 countries criminalize trans persons through different types of laws. The legal developments since the last time the group addressed the Committee are encouraging, but we will not stop raising our voice until we achieve full decriminalization.
We express our full support to the mandate of the United Nations Independent Expert on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as established by the Human Rights Council. We look forward to the upcoming presentation of his report and his continued engagement with the Committee.
As the Independent Expert has mentioned before, decriminalization of same-sex consensual activity is part of the responsibilities of States to address acts of discriminatory violence.
We also agree with the Expert’s view that social inclusion requires dismantling all legislation that criminalizes sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, and that negates a person’s identity. Everyone should live free and equal, regardless of who they are and who they love.
The UN LGBTI Core Group strongly supports the call of the Secretary General that “so long as people face criminalization, bias and violence based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics, we must redouble our efforts to end these violations.”
In this decade of action and delivery for sustainable development we must put an end to the multiple and intersecting forms of violence and discrimination faced by LGBTI persons. In order to achieve the full realization of human rights for everyone, and to ‘leave no one behind’, we call for full decriminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity by 2030.
I thank you.