The UN Human Rights Council reminds all States once again of their obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of LGBT and gender-diverse persons.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has renewed the mandate of the only UN-appointed Independent Expert specifically dedicated to addressing violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).
Following a global campaign led by 1,259 NGOs from 157 countries and territories, the Council adopted the resolution with 29 votes in favour, 15 against, and 3 abstentions.
With this vote, the Human Rights Council reaffirmed its commitment to combatting discrimination and violence against all people, while reminding States of their duties to uphold the rights of persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
The Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity will now continue their work for another three years. The mandate is currently held by South African academic Graeme Reid.
“The renewal of this mandate is a ray of hope at a time when reactionary forces around the world are attempting to dismantle the progress our communities have fought so hard to achieve,” said Julia Ehrt, Executive Director of ILGA World.
“Regardless of our origin, the colour of our skin or the faith we hold, we can all agree on one simple truth: no human being should suffer violence or discrimination – with no exceptions. With this vote, States have shown they can live up to their promise of leaving no one behind. We will continue to work with the Independent Expert on SOGI to ensure this promise is translated into concrete action.”
First created in 2016, and renewed in 2019 and 2022, the mandate has enjoyed growing support from States across all regions. The current resolution was tabled by six Latin American countries —Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Uruguay— and was co-sponsored by 50 States from across the globe.
The Independent Expert is tasked with assessing the implementation of international human rights law, investigating violence and discrimination against LGBT and gender-diverse persons, and assisting States, UN bodies, and international and regional mechanisms in addressing such issues.
Since its inception, three successive mandate holders have carried out 11 official country visits, issued 17 thematic reports —documenting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including the effects of criminalizing consensual same-sex acts, the need for legal gender recognition, and the situation of LGBT persons in forced displacement— and sent communications to 171 States regarding allegations of human rights violations.
With the new three-year term, the mandate will continue to support initiatives that aim to ensure LGBT and gender-diverse people can live free from discrimination everywhere in the world, while amplifying their voices and testimonies in international human rights fora.
The global civil society urges all governments to fully cooperate with the Independent Expert in this vital effort to achieve a world free from violence and discrimination for all people.
About the Mandate
The Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. The mandate was established in 2016 and has been held by Vitit Muntarbhorn (2016–2017, Thailand), Víctor Madrigal-Borloz (2018–2023, Costa Rica), and Graeme Reid (2023–present, South Africa).
This news article uses the terms “LGBT persons” or “persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities” in reference to the mandate's specific focus on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, rather than using the broader term “LGBTI”.
Signatory Organisations and Media Contacts
ILGA World: Daniele Paletta, Communications Manager, media (at) ilga (dot) org
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR): Fabiana Leibl, Programme Manager, f (dot) leibl (at) ishr (dot) ch; Francisco Pérez, Communications and Media Manager, f (dot) perez (at) ishr (dot) ch
Global Action for Trans Equality – GATE: Naomhán O’Connnor, Communications Director, noconnor (at) gate (dot) ngo
ERA LGBTI Association for the Western Balkans and Türkiye: Elena Petrovska, Advocacy & Project Coordinator, elena (at) lgbti-era (dot) org
Caribbean Equality Project: Mohamed Q. Amin, Executive Director, Mohamed (at) CaribbeanEqualityProject (dot) org
OTD Chile: Ignacia Oyarzun, President, politicapublica (at) otdchile (dot) org
Equality Australia: Savanh Tanhchareun, International Advisor, savanh (dot) tanhchareun (at) equalityaustralia (dot) org (dot) au
ILGA-Europe: Brian Finnegan, Communications Director, brian (at) ilga-europe (dot) org
International Planned Parenthood Federation
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