We welcome the decision of the United Nations General Assembly once again safeguarded the mandate. Today’s defeat of the hostile amendment was remarkable and brought impact (84 voted against, 77 voted in favour and 16 abstentions on the proposed amendment A/71/45). The SOGI Independent Expert will continue with his work to document LGBTIQ human rights violations globally. With the increasing of threats and violence against LGBTIQ persons in many countries, the role of Independent Expert on SOGI becomes more important to bring these issues within then international level. The established mechanism will give assurance to LGBTIQ persons worldwide that we are fully entitled for protection under the international human rights law. We would convey our huge appreciation for the Asia Pacific countries who decided to stand with us and voted against the hostile amendment[1]. We, the undersigned below, are committed to support the mandate holder to end discrimination and violence as well as to achieve the enjoyment of human rights for LGBTIQ persons.

Signed by:

Ryan Silverio, Regional Coordinator, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC)

Hiker Chiu, Co-Chair, ILGA ASIA

Abhina Aher, Chair Person, Regional Steering Committee, APTN

Joey Joleen Mataele, President, Pacific Sexual Diversity Network

Midnight Poonkasetwattana, Executive Director, APCOM 

[1] Voted against the amendment: Australia, Cambodia, Fiji, Japan, Kiribati, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam. Voted in favour the amendment: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, DPR of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nauru, Pakistan, Singapore. Voted to abstain/did not vote: Bhutan, India, Lao DPR, Micronesia (FS), Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Tonga.