14th session of the Universal Periodic Review
The 14th session of the UPR took place from 22 October to 5 November 2012. Countries under review included Czech Republic, Argentina, Gabon, Ghana, Ukraine, Guatemala, Benin, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Pakistan, Zambia, Japan, Peru and Sri Lanka. Follow the country links for more information on its review. More on the UPR…
Download our advocacy document: UPR14 – suggested recommendations
Download our report of the session: Report of UPR 14th session
21st session of the Human Rights Council
Geneva, September 10-28, 2012
The 21st session of the Human Rights Council provided various opportunities to raise issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity, including in the general debate with the High Commissioner and interactive dialogues with Special Rapporteurs. UPR reports of 14 countries were adopted, providing opportunity for civil society to make statements on the process. The session also saw a new resolution on the controversial topic of “traditional values” brought by the Russian Federation. Read more…
HRC adopts resolution on “traditional values”
Geneva, 27 September 2012
Unfortunately, the Russian resolution was adopted by the Human Rights Council this morning by a vote of 25 in favour, 15 opposed, and 7 abstaining.
Within the African Group, Botswana and Mauritius voted against the resolution, and Benin and Nigeria abstained. All Asian Council-Members supported the resolution. In Eastern Europe, only Russia supported the resolution, with Moldova abstaining, and the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania voting against. The results were very mixed among the Latin American States: Costa Rica and Mexico voted against the resolution, Cuba and Ecuador supported it. Particularly disappointing were Chile, Guatemala, Peru and Uruguay, each of which took the floor to express strong concerns about the resolution, but went on to abstain instead of voting against. All Western States voted against the resolution.
See the voting sheet
Read more…
Traditional Values – Urgent Action Alert!
5 September, 2012
ACT NOW TO OPPOSE RUSSIAN RESOLUTION ON TRADITIONAL VALUES:
UNIVERSALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS AT STAKE!
At the current session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Russia has tabled a resolution seeking to promote “traditional values” as a basis for human rights. Numerous UN experts have emphasised that traditional values are frequently invoked by States to justify human rights violations, such as family violence, marital rape, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Read more…
20th session of the Human Rights Council – broad SOGI coverage
Geneva, 18 June to 6 July 2012
Whilst there was no specific initiative on sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI) during this session of the HRC, the issues were brought in as relevant concerns under many agenda items and debates. The High Commissioner for Human Rights has been increasingly proactive, and raised SOGI-related concerns on freedom of expression and assembly in her opening statement to the Council. A broad range of Special Procedures mandate holders integrated the issues in their work, both in thematic reports and reports on country visits. Read more, including a report of the session…
