HRC session 40 (February-March 2019) - ILGA's engagement


HRC 40 - 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Geneva, 25 February - 22 March 2019

ILGA's involvement at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC):

Here you can find a compilation of all SOGIESC remarks made during the High-Level Segment of the session.
A summary of SOGIESC issues mentioned in the reports presented during the 40th Human Rights Council session is available here.

In this section:

Statements at the HRC

  • Biennial high-level panel discussion on the question of death penalty
  • Clustered Interactive Dialogue: Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders and Special Rapporteur on torture
  • Clustered Interactive Dialogue: Special Rapporteur on privacy and Special Rapporteur on cultural rights
  • Clustered Interactive Dialogue: Special Rapporteur on environment and Special Rapporteur on adequate housing
  • End of session

(more statements will be added as the session unfolds)

Side events

Adoption of UPR outcomes

  • China
  • Mauritius
  • Malaysia
  • Belize

Statements at the HRC

BIENNIAL HIGH-LEVEL PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE QUESTION OF DEATH PENALTY

In this statement we highlighted that millions of people risk being sentenced to death or to be executed simply for whom they love, because they are living in States where somebody may be convicted by the courts and be executed by the State for consensual same-sex sexual acts.

Click here to read the full statement, or watch the video below:

 

CLUSTERED INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TORTURE

In this statement - made in consultation with Amnesty International Ukraine, the Ukrainian Public Organisation “Insight”, “GenderDoc-M” (Moldova), “Cattrachas” Lesbian Network (Honduras), and the Iranian Lesbian and Transgender Network (6Rang) - we welcomed the thematic report of the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, and called for solidarity with LGBTI human rights defenders worldwide.

Click here to read the full statement, or watch the video below:

 

CLUSTERED INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON PRIVACY AND SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON CULTURAL RIGHTS

In this statement, drafted in consultation with the Kazakhstan Feminist Initiative “Feminita”, we highlighted opportunities and challenges that the digital environment presents to LGBTI persons, and reminded States of their obligation to combat discrimination in the cultural sector against - inter alia - LGBTI persons.

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

 

CLUSTERED INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON ENVIRONMENT AND SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON ADEQUATE HOUSING

In this statement, drafted in consultation with in consultation with Rainbow Action in the Republic of Korea and the Sangsan Anakot Yawachon Development Project in Thailand, we raised awareness of the specific challenges facing LGBTI people in their access to adequate housing - including when renting a home, having security of tenure if their partner dies, or even accessing shelters if they are homeless.

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

 

END OF SESSION

In this joint statement we joined 10 other human rights organisations in welcoming, amongst others, the joint statement on Chechnya delivered by more than 30 States - calling on the Russian authorities for the persecution of people on the grounds of their sexual orientation and gender identity to stop

Click here to read the full statement.

 

 

Side events

 

Adoption of UPR outcomes

During the 40th session of the Human Rights Council, ILGA worked with human rights defenders from various countries to help deliver statements during the UPR adoptions.

CHINA

During the 31st UPR Working Group Sessions, China received 6 SOGIESC recommendations. Click here to read the ILGA World statement, prepared with a coalition of Chinese LGBT organisations.

MALAYSIA

During the 31st UPR Working Group Sessions, Malaysia received 11 SOGIESC recommendations. Click here to read the ILGA World statement, prepared with a coalition of Malaysian NGOs working on SOGIESC issues.

MAURITIUS

During the 31st UPR Working Group Sessions, Mauritius received 14 SOGIESC recommendations. Click here to read the ILGA World statement, prepared in consultation with Young Queer Alliance.

BELIZE

During the 31st UPR Working Group Sessions, Mauritius received 15 SOGIESC recommendations. Click here to read the ILGA World statement, delivered on behalf of the United Belize Advocacy Movement, Promoting Empowerment Through Awareness For Les/Bi Women, Our Circle, Empower Yourself Belize Movement and Belize Youth Empowerment for Change.