The United Nations Human Rights Council
(UNHRC) on Friday approved a resolution condemning violence against
people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The 47-member inter-governmental body
tasked with protecting human rights around the world approved the
resolution with a 25-14 vote.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay
sponsored resolution HRC27.
“Breaking: UN Human Rights Council
adopts landmark resolution on protection of LGBT rights #HRC27,”
tweeted the UN's Free
& Equal Campaign, which focuses on promoting LGBT rights
globally.
Jessica Stern, executive director of
the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC),
applauded the vote.
“The Human Rights Council has taken a
fundamental step forward by reaffirming one of the United Nations'
key principles – that everyone is equal in dignity and rights,”
Stern said in a statement. “This resolution puts the UN on a
trajectory to address the discrimination and violence LGBT persons
suffer daily across the world.”
The resolution also asks the UN Office
of the High Commissioner of Human Rights to gather and publish
information on how best to overcome discrimination and violence
against sexual minorities.
According to IGLHRC, opponents
introduced seven amendments “that would have eliminated all
reference to sexual orientation and gender identity from the text,
and made it applicable only to countries who proactively declare
support for sexual diversity and rights.” All the amendments
failed.