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The
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is launching 'Free &
Equal,' an unprecedented global public education campaign for lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality.
Direct Link to Full 64-Page
UN 2012 Brochure:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/BornFreeAndEqual.aspx
BORN
FREE AND EQUAL
14 September 2012 - The UN Human
Rights Office has released a new publication on sexual orientation and gender
identity in international human rights law. It sets out the source and scope of
some of the core legal obligations that States have to protect the human rights
of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The 60-page booklet is
designed as a tool for States, to help them better understand the nature of
their obligations and the steps required to meet them, as well as for civil
society activists, human rights defenders and others seeking to hold
Governments to account for breaches of international human rights law.
In her foreword to the publication,
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay writes: “The case for extending
the same rights to LGBT persons as those enjoyed by everyone else is neither
radical nor complicated. It rests on two fundamental principles that underpin
international human rights law: equality and non-discrimination. The opening
words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are unequivocal: ‘All human
beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’.”
For almost two decades, human rights
treaty bodies and the special rapporteurs and other experts appointed by the
Human Rights Council and its predecessor have documented widespread violations
of the human rights of LGBT people. Reported violations include killings, rape
and physical attacks, torture, arbitrary detention, the denial of rights to
assembly, expression and information, and discrimination in employment, health
and education and access to goods and services. In each case, the victims
involved are targeted either because they are, or are assumed to be, lesbian,
gay, bisexual or transgender. Oftentimes, the mere perception of homosexuality
or transgender identity is enough to put people at risk.
The booklet focuses on five core
obligations where national action is most urgently needed – from protecting
people from homophobic violence, to preventing torture, decriminalizing
homosexuality, prohibiting discrimination, and safeguarding freedom of
expression, association and peaceful assembly for all LGBT people. For each,
the basis of the State obligation in international human rights law is
explained with reference to the substantial body of decisions, recommendations
and guidance issued by United Nations human rights mechanisms. The booklet also
includes examples of actions that can be taken at a national level to bring
laws, policies and practices into line with applicable international human
rights standards.
In recent years, many States have
made a determined effort to strengthen human rights protection in each of these
areas. An array of new laws has been adopted – including laws banning
discrimination, penalizing homophobic hate crimes, granting recognition of
same-sex relationships, and making it easier for transgender individuals to
obtain official documents that reflect their preferred gender. Training
programmes have been developed for police, prison staff, teachers, social
workers and other personnel, and anti-bullying initiatives have been
implemented in many schools.
In the coming years, much more needs
to be done to confront prejudice and protect LGBT people in all countries from
violence and discrimination. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights hopes that this publication can help contribute to this end, by
providing a practical resource for all those working for change – whether from
the perspective of the United Nations, regional organizations, Governments,
national human rights institutions or civil society.