Rights Group Hails 'Historic' UN Gay, Gender Rights Post
Human Rights Watch on Friday hailed the UN's "historic" decision to create a new post tasked with fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The first-of-its kind job at the United Nations was established by the Human Rights Council following a "heated" three-and-half hour debate with many states voicing fierce opposition, council spokesman Rolando Gomez told journalists.
The resolution creating the job of "Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity" was adopted late Thursday with 23 votes in favor, 18 against and six abstentions in the 47 member council.
"The UN took a historic step forward," John Fisher, Geneva director at the New York-based HRW, said in a statement.
He said those facing victimization because of gender or sexual orientation now had an "official voice" they could turn to in the UN system.
The move was strongly pushed for by a group of Latin American countries and Britain, with the backing of several European states as well as South Korea, Vietnam and Mongolia.
Votes against were led by China and Russia along with several Arab states including Saudi Arabia. Opponents in Africa included Kenya, Togo and Nigeria, which in 2014 adopted a tough anti-gay law.
The independent expert will be named in the coming months.
Source: Agence France Presse
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/212503 |