UN JOINT STATEMENT ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY
What’s up?
Ø In mid-December 2008, States from every region of the world will join together to deliver a statement recognizing human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity at the United Nations General Assembly.
Ø The statement deals with human rights abuses, directed against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, including violence, criminal sanctions, torture, threats against human rights defenders and discrimination in accessing economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to health.
Ø December 2008 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this historic occasion, the joint statement will affirm that human rights truly are the birthright of all human beings, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Ø Initiated by France, the joint statement is being coordinated by a cross-regional core group of States, including representatives from all 5 UN regions (Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, France, Gabon, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway and Ukraine).
Ø These States are seeking to send a powerful message by delivering the statement on behalf of as many States from different regions as possible. It has already attracted over 50 signatories. This initiative builds upon a previous joint statement delivered in 2006 at the UN Human Rights Council by Norway on behalf of 54 States.
Ø With your help, we would like to encourage as many countries as possible to join the statement, making it the largest-ever UN statementaddressing human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It will also be the first to be delivered at the UN General Assembly, the UN’s highest political body.
What can I do?
Ø If you think your country might be supportive, it is urgent to contact them and encourage them to join the statement;
Ø If your country has already expressed its support, you might consider sending them a note of thanks, and encouraging them to approach other States who may be supportive.
Ø There is no need to contact your government if you know they will be unsupportive or hostile – in fact, it may trigger an unwanted backlash.
Which States have already expressed support? Which have not yet done so?
The main States which have already joined, or might consider joining, the statement are:
Ø Western Group: the 27 European Union countries have already expressed their support for the statement, as have Andorra, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland. Australia, Canada and the USA supported the previous joint statement in 2006 but have not yet joined the current statement, and should be encouraged to maintain their support this time also. Other Western Group countries to approach for support include Monaco, San Marino and Turkey. Turkey has previously joined EU statements which include positive references to sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights.
Ø Central and Eastern Europe: The Central and Eastern European States which are EU Members have already endorsed the statement, as have Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Albania and Moldovasupported the previous joint statement in 2006 but have not yet joined the current statement, and should be encouraged to maintain their support this time also. NGOs in Azerbaijan, Belarus and Georgia are well-placed to evaluate what approaches or strategies may be appropriate with their government.
Ø Latin America and the Caribbean: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Uruguay have already expressed their support. Guatemala,Panama and Peru supported the previous joint statement in 2006 but have not yet joined the current statement, and should be encouraged to maintain their support this time also. All other Latin American and Caribbean States supported a historic resolution of the Organisation of American States on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity earlier this year, and may therefore be willing to join the current statement as well. The only exception is Cuba, which is not an OAS member and has consistently refrained from voting on sexual orientation and gender identity issues internationally, but may be encouraged to adopt a more supportive position this time round.
Ø Africa: Gabon, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau have already expressed their support. This itself is significant since it will be the first time ever that such a statement has attracted support from all 5 UN regions, including Africa. The main additional State to urge to join the statement is South Africa, which includes sexual orientation in its Constitution, recently affirmed its commitment to non-discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation during the UPR, but has yet to join any such initiative.
Ø Asia: Japan has already expressed its support. However, this is currently the only Asian State to join the initiative. Timor-Leste supported the previous joint statement in 2006 but has not yet joined the current statement, and should be encouraged to maintain its support this time also.South Korea also supported the previous joint statement in 2006, but is reluctant to join this time because of a law criminalising homosexual conduct in the military, and it will be important to urge South Korea to maintain its past support. Other Asian States to approach for support include Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand and whichever other States NGOs in the region feel might be inclined to support. In the Pacific region, it is worth noting that Fiji includes sexual orientation in its constitution, and a number of other States might consider supporting the statement, if approached.
How do I contact my government?
Ø 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:
Ø 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:
What do I tell them?
Ø Send your Foreign Ministry a copy of the joint statement and the Fact Sheet we have prepared to help provide governments with more information (attached).
Ø Thank them for any past support they have demonstrated for sexual orientation and gender identity issues, or for principles of equality and non-discrimination more generally, and emphasize that this is a very straightforward statement focused on recognising that all human beings are entitled to be protected from serious human rights violations.
Ø 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.
Ø Underline that the statement builds on similar past initiatives, and will not be subject to a vote. It creates no new rights, but simply seeks the application of existing international standards to those who face human rights violations because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Ø Point out that the statement is already attracting broad support from over 50 States cross-regionally, encourage them to join the statement, andask for a specific response to your request. You may also wish to request a meeting to discuss the matter further.
Ø You know your own country best. Feel free tailor this information to the context of your country or region, while maintaining a constructive approach.
Questions or further information?
Ø Please keep us informed of your country’s response. A coalition of international NGOs is closely monitoring the initiative, and may be reached at:
Thanks for your help with this important human rights initiative. Let’s make the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights an occasion to remember!
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