Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
ADVT 
International

India Abstains As United Nations Creates LGBT Rights Watchdog

IANS, 01 Jul, 2016 12:24 PM
    India has abstained at the UN Human Rights Council voting in Geneva to appoint an independent expert to look into cases of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, a resolution which was passed by a narrow margin.
     
    In a 23-18 vote with six abstentions, the 47-member Human Rights Council yesterday called for the creation of a three-year position for an independent expert to look into wrongdoing against gays, lesbians and transgender people.
     
    Defending India's decision, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup in New Delhi said India took the decision considering the "legal" reality in the country.
     
    "The issue of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights in India is a matter being considered by the Supreme Court under a batch of curative petitions filed by various institutions and organisations. The SC is yet to pronounce on this issue," he said.
     
    "As such we had to take this into account in terms of our vote on the UN resolution to institutionalise the office of an independent expert to prevent discrimination against the LGBT persons," Mr Swarup told reporters.
     
    The expert is expected to be appointed at the next meeting of the Geneva-based body in September.
     
    The resolution was strongly supported by Latin America and the West, while many African and Middle Eastern countries joined China to vote against it.
     
    The expert's duties will include assessing international human rights laws, raising awareness of violence based on sexual orientation and engaging in dialogue with member states and other stakeholders.
     
    The decision to create the post comes weeks after Afghan-origin Omar Mateen massacred 49 people at a gay bar in Orlando, Florida.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Social Media Monarch: Queen Elizabeth Tweets Birthday Thanks

    Social Media Monarch: Queen Elizabeth Tweets Birthday Thanks
    LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II has sent a tweet for only the second time, to thank people who offered her 90th birthday wishes on social media.

    Social Media Monarch: Queen Elizabeth Tweets Birthday Thanks

    Lagging In Fundraising, Donald Trump Calls On Gop For More Support

    WASHINGTON — Donald Trump acknowledged Tuesday that he is struggling to rally fellow Republicans as new fundraising reports show him badly lagging Hillary Clinton in campaign cash.

    Lagging In Fundraising, Donald Trump Calls On Gop For More Support

    Authorities: Man At Vegas Rally Said He Wanted To Kill Trump

    A complaint filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Nevada charges Michael Steven Sandford with an act of violence on restricted grounds.

    Authorities: Man At Vegas Rally Said He Wanted To Kill Trump

    Pakistan Woman Paraded With Blackened Face, Shaved Head For Eloping

    Pakistan Woman Paraded With Blackened Face, Shaved Head For Eloping
    A 23-year-old woman was paraded in her village streets with blackened face and shaved off head by her family members for allegedly eloping with a man, the latest in a series of 'honour' related crimes in Pakistan's Punjab province.

    Pakistan Woman Paraded With Blackened Face, Shaved Head For Eloping

    World Gets Ready To Observe Second Yoga Day

    World Gets Ready To Observe Second Yoga Day
    The world is ready to observe the second International Day of Yoga (IDY) on Tuesday as Indian missions abroad held many practice sessions to prepare thousands of people for the day.

    World Gets Ready To Observe Second Yoga Day

    Justin Trudeau Condemns Killing Of 14 Canadian Embassy Security Guards In Kabul

      The Canadian Embassy in Kabul confirmed Monday that the guards were on their way there when the bombing happened, but said there had been no attack on its embassy premises.

    Justin Trudeau Condemns Killing Of 14 Canadian Embassy Security Guards In Kabul