The UN Human Rights Council once again reaffirms its commitment to combating discrimination and violence on the grounds of SOGI, and reminds all States of their obligations towards LGBT and gender-diverse people

(Geneva, 7 July 2022) - The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) for three more years. In a critical vote, the resolution was adopted by a vote of 23  in favour, with 17 voting against and 7 abstaining.

1,256 non-governmental organisations from 149 States and territories in all regions supported a campaign to renew the mandate.

Today’s vote was the first time that the Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted a resolution explicitly condemning legislation that criminalises consensual same-sex conducts and diverse gender identities, and called on States to amend discriminatory legislation and combat violence on the grounds on SOGI.

“Billions of people continue to live with laws and societal attitudes that put them in danger”, said Manisha Dhakal of Blue Diamond Society in Nepal, on behalf of a global coalition of civil society organisations. “Acknowledging that so much work remains to be done, the Council once again reaffirmed its commitment to combatting discrimination and violence on grounds of SOGI, reminding all States of their obligations towards these communities."

“The existence of a specific UN human rights mechanism on violence and discrimination on the basis of SOGI is crucial for our communities to be heard at the global level,” added Carlos Idibouo of Fierté Afrique Francophone (FAF) from Cote d'Ivoire. “If the world is truly committed to leaving no one behind, it can’t shy away from addressing the violence and discrimination that we face. Laws criminalising our identities and actions are unjust and should no longer be tolerated”.

Created in 2016, and renewed for the first time in 2019, the Independent Expert has been supported by a growing number of States from all regions. The resolution to create and renew the mandate was presented by a Core Group of seven Latin American countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Uruguay -  and was cosponsored by 60 countries from all regions.

“Having secured a renewal for three more years, this mandate will now continue to support initiatives in countries around the world ensuring that LGBT and gender-diverse people live free of inequality , and to amplify their voices and testimonies in international human rights fora," added Aleh Ordóñez Rodríguez of Ledeser in Mexico.

Not only did the renewal process successfully overcome 12 of 13 hostile amendments, the core of the resolution affirming the universal nature of international human rights law stands firm.

Indonesia and Malaysia are the only countries from Southeast Asia who are members of the HRC and both countries voted against the resolution, aligned their stance with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) except Albania. Both countries are remains a very hostile in the region when it comes to the rights of  people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. 

“Indonesia and Malaysia's position is disappointing, although expected given the increasing trends of criminalization, prosecution, discrimination with impunity against LGBTIQ persons in these two ASEAN countries. We reiterate that LGBTIQ are part of human diversity and we are not a threat to culture, religion and societal norms, as often claimed by these countries.” said Thilaga, Justice of Sister Malaysia.

“The Independent Expert on SOGI mandate's renewal brings hope especially for a region where existing regional human rights mechanisms fall short in protecting and promoting the human rights of LGBTQIA+ persons." added Ryan Silverio, an Executive Director of ASEAN SOGIE Caucus. 

The Independent Expert assesses implementation of international human rights law, by talking to States, and working collaboratively with other UN and regional mechanisms to address violence and discrimination. Since 2016 the world has heard more about the impact of criminalisation of same-sex relations between consenting adults, the need to legally recognise a person's gender, the barriers to social inclusion and the importance of collecting data related to LGBT lives, the harm caused by so-called ‘conversion therapy’, and more. The Expert has also cast a light on good practices to prevent discrimination, and recently conducted visits to Argentina, Georgia, Mozambique, Tunisia, and Ukraine.

We hope that all governments cooperate fully with the Independent Expert in this important work to bring about a world free from violence and discrimination for all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

For media inquiry please reach this organization and media contact

• ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, Lini Zurlia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• APCOM Foundation This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Alexandra Johns, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Campaign for Change This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• COC Nederland Philip Tijsma; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Edge Effect Emily Dwyer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Egale Canads This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• GATE - Global Action for Trans Equality ; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Human Rights Campaign This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• ILGA Asia Ryan Ong, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• ILGA World Daniele Paletta, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• International Family Equality Day; Matcha Phorn-In, Benny Odongo This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• ISHR Tess McEvoy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• RFSL Andrea Ayala, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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