Urgent Action Update: UN Joint Statement on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

What’s new?

• Over 60 States, from all geographic regions, have now endorsed the joint statement recognizing human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity!
• This historic statement, which builds upon years of advocacy by activists from around the globe, will be delivered at the United Nations General Assembly by the Ambassador of Gabon – most likely on Thursday, 18 December.
• There are just days left to contact your government, urging them to support the statement if they have not yet done so.  A full list of endorsing States, and those that remain lobbying priorities, is below.

What can I do?

• Opponents of the initiative are working overtime to lobby against the statement. It is critical that you contact your government TODAY.
• The most important contact is your government’s Foreign Ministry in your capital.  Contact details for the Foreign Ministry of each country can be found at:

http://programs.ssrc.org/gsc/datasphere/ministries/

• It is also useful to copy any message to your country’s Ambassador in New York.  Contact details for the New York missions of each State can be found at:

http://www.un.org/members/missions.shtml

• Please also forward this action alert, particularly to activists or organizations in the priority countries listed below. Don’t forget to also encourage mainstream human rights organisations, friends, Human Rights Commissions and other allies in priority countries to contact their government and make their voices heard!

What do I tell them?

• Send your Foreign Ministry a copy of the joint statement and the attached Fact Sheet.
• Point out that on the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is important to affirm the principle of universality: that all human beings, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are entitled to equal dignity and respect. No-one should be subject to violence, harassment, discrimination or abuse, solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Underline that the statement builds on similar past initiatives, and will not be subject to a vote.  Nor does it deal with same-sex marriage; it is simply a straightforward statement focused on recognising that all human beings are entitled to be protected from serious human rights violations.
• Emphasise that the statement creates no new rights, and is non-binding. It affirms existing decisions of UN treaty bodies, and simply seeks the application of existing international standards to those who face human rights violations because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Point out that the statement has already attracted broad support from over 60 States from every geographic region. Encourage them to join the statement, and ask for a specific and urgent response to your request. Follow up by phone.

Here is a list of the States which have already endorsed the statement, as well as States which it is urgent to contact:

Africa:

• Current endorsers include:

Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe

The confirmed support of 5 African countries for this statement is historic. At the same time, South Africa, which has sexual orientation in its Constitution, has still not provided a response.

• Lobbying priorities include:

Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa

… and any other States you think might be persuaded to support the statement!

Asia/Pacific:

• Current endorsers include:

Cyprus, Japan, Nepal

• Lobbying priorities include:

Fiji, Micronesia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Thailand, Timor-Leste

… and any other States you think might be persuaded to support the statement!

Central and Eastern Europe:

• Current endorsers include:

Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

• Lobbying priorities include:

Moldova, Ukraine

… and any other States you think might be persuaded to support the statement!

Latin America and the Caribbean:

• Current endorsers include:

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela

In addition, confirmation of support is expected from Bolivia.

• Lobbying priorities include:

Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru

… and any other States you think might be persuaded to support the statement! All Latin American/Caribbean countries supported a resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity by the Organization of American States earlier this year, and should be encouraged to further that commitment.

Western Group:

• Current endorsers include:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

• Lobbying priorities include:

Monaco, Turkey, United States of America

… and any other States you think might be persuaded to support the statement!

Questions or further information?

• Please keep us informed of your country’s response.  A coalition of international NGOs is closely monitoring the initiative, and may be reached at:

coordination@arc-international.net