HRC Session 35 (June 2017) - ILGA's engagement

HRC 35 - 35th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Geneva, 6-23 June, 2017

Click here to download a summary of reports mentioning SOGIESC issues presented during the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Here you can also download our notes about the Clustered interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on SOGI.

 

ILGA's involvement at the 35th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC):

In this section:

Statements at the HRC

  • Item 3 – Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity
  • Item 3 - Clustered interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
  • Item 3 - Clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to health and the Independent Expert on international solidarity
  • Item 3 - Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law and in Practice
  • Item 3: Clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights’ Report on China
  • Item 3 - General Debate
  • Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women: Women's rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: health and gender equality
  • Item 4 - General Debate
  • Item 8 - General Debate
  • Item 10 - General Debate
  • Closing of the session

Side events

  • June 7, 2017: Digging Deeper: HRDs in dialogue with the UN Independent Expert on SOGI
  • June 8, 2017: Side event on Transgender People, Mental Health and Human Rights

Statements at the HRC

ITEM 3 – INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY

In this statement, joined by COC Netherlands, we commend both the Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity and the Special Rapporteur on summary executions for thieir reports, and highlight how the need for sustained attention to human rights abuses against rainbow communities has never been greater.

Click here to read the full statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered below:

CLUSTERED INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON PROTECTION AGAINST VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY AND THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON EXTRAJUDICIAL, SUMMARY OR ARBITRARY EXECUTIONS

In this statement delivered by RFSL, a group of 17 trans activists from all regions encourage the Independent Expert on SOGI to undertake a nuanced study of legal gender recognition programs globally, and to promote consultative, community-based development of processes for legal gender recognition that are accessible, respectful, and based fundamentally on self-determination with full respect to the right to privacy.

Click here to read the full statement, or watch a video of the statement being delivered below:

ITEM 3: CLUSTERED INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHT TO HEALTH AND THE INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

In this statement delivered by ARC International, a coalition of transgender activists highlights how trans people’s mental health is impacted by human rights violations, lack of access to healthcare services and legal recognition, and by the experience of stigma and discrimination.

Click here to read the statement, or watch a video of the statement being delivered below:

ITEM 3  - INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE WORKING GROUP ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN  IN LAW AND IN PRACTICE

In this joint statement by ILGA and COC Netherlands, delivered in consultation with Transvanilla and the Hungarian LGBT Alliance, we highlight how gender stereotypes and traditional gender roles have a significant impact on lesbian, bisexual, trans women and men, and gender non-conforming persons: by defying these norms, they are often specifically vulnerable to violence and discrimination in laws and practice.

Click here to read the full statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered below:

ITEM 3: CLUSTERED INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON EXTREME POVERTY AND HUMAN RIGHTS’ REPORT ON CHINA

In this statement prepared in consultation with Chinese LGBTI activists, we encourage the Chinese government to integrate the LGBTI community into the implementation of its current and future anti-poverty agenda, and to welcome and facilitate LGBTI civil society groups to register as non-governmental organizations.

Click here to read the full statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered below:

ITEM 3  - GENERAL DEBATE

In this joint statement, ILGA and 13 other NGOs thanked States for their commitment to address the shrinking space for civil society, and draw the Council's attention to the fact that since 2013, the number of desks reserved for NGOs in room XX for Human Rights Council sessions has been reduced from 24 to 2.

Click here to read the full statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered below:

ANNUAL FULL-DAY DISCUSSION ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN: WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: HEALTH AND GENDER EQUALITY

In this joint statement, ILGA and RFSL invite States implementing Goal 3 of Sustainable Development Goals to acknowledge the devastating impact of intersecting forms of discrimination and marginalization that lesbian and bisexual women, trans and intersex persons face within the health care system.

Click here to read the full statement or watch the video of the statement being delivered below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83YvMJltmTc

ITEM 4  - GENERAL DEBATE

In this statement- delivered by ILGA and made in consultation with the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, ILGA ASIA, Oogachaga and SEED Malaysia - we highlight how 2017 has seen a significant increase in anti-LGBTIQ incidents across ASEAN countries, and we call for an end to this violence.

Click here to read the statement or watch the statement of the video being delivered below:

ITEM 8  - GENERAL DEBATE

In this statement- delivered by IHEU and joined by a coalition of 13 other NGOs, including ILGA - we express our strong concerns about the draft resolution on the protection of the family as tabled in the 35th UN Human Rights Council, and call on the Core Group to withdraw it or for members of the Human Rights Council to amend or vote against it.

Click here to read the statement or watch the statement of the video being delivered below:

ITEM 10  - GENERAL DEBATE

In this statement, ILGA shared with the UN Human Rights Council a number of good practices and changes to help build capacity and provide assistance to States.

Click here to read the full statement.

CLOSING OF THE SESSION

In this joint statement on behalf of International Service for Human Rights, International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), International Platform Against Impunity, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, CIVICUS, International Longevity Center Global Alliance delivered at the close of the 35th UN Human Rights Council, civil society groups welcome commitments by States to strengthen membership and outcomes of the Human Rights Council.

Click here to read the full statement.

Side events

Digging Deeper: human rights defenders in dialogue with the UN Independent Expert on SOGI

This event, co-hosted by ILGA and ISHR, gives an opportunity for human rights defenders to engage in a moderated dialogue with Professor Muntarbhorn, sharing perspectives on their experiences of the approaches expressed in the underpinnings in his recent report, and how change can be best-brought about on the ground.

Click here to find out more

Side event on Transgender People, Mental Health and Human Rights

The panel session - co-hosted by TGEU, RFSL, ILGA, GATE - Global Action for Trans* Equality and Asia Pacific Transgender Network - provides an opportunity to address human rights violations against transgender people and to discuss current advances in the process to dismantle pathologization both at the national and at the international levels. It will also provide space to discuss practical next steps that need to be taken to improve the situation.

Click here to find out more or watch the videos from the events below: