Close X
Monday, November 25, 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

    China Offers Cloud-Seeding Technology For Drought-Hit Marathwada

    China Offers Cloud-Seeding Technology For Drought-Hit Marathwada
    China has over the years used the cloud seeding rockets tipped with silver iodide to cause precipitation. But it requires clouds to cause precipitation.

    China Offers Cloud-Seeding Technology For Drought-Hit Marathwada

    Putin Wants Improved Relations With Canada, But Says 'Specific Steps' Needed

    ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin says he wants to work with Canada's new Liberal government to improve relations, but he won't say how.

    Putin Wants Improved Relations With Canada, But Says 'Specific Steps' Needed

    Hundreds Practise Yoga In Beijing

    Hundreds of people practised Yoga here on Saturday to mark the International Yoga Day which will be observed on June 21.

    Hundreds Practise Yoga In Beijing

    Indian-Origin Ex-Marine Imran Yousuf Hailed As Hero In Orlando Night Club Massacre

    Indian-Origin Ex-Marine Imran Yousuf Hailed As Hero In Orlando Night Club Massacre
    Former US Marine sergeant of Indian origin, Imran Yousuf, has been hailed as a hero for saving scores of lives at a Florida night club when a terrorist went on a rampage killing 49 people.

    Indian-Origin Ex-Marine Imran Yousuf Hailed As Hero In Orlando Night Club Massacre

    Canadian Man Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements In U.S. Gun Purchases

    Canadian Man Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements In U.S. Gun Purchases
      The dealer, who alerted authorities, said Baffoe produced an American passport and an expired New Hampshire driver's licence when he asked if he was a state resident, an affidavit from federal agent John Cook says.

    Canadian Man Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements In U.S. Gun Purchases

    Nova Scotia Population Hits Record High, Thanks Mostly To Immigration

    Nova Scotia Population Hits Record High, Thanks Mostly To Immigration
    Statistics Canada released Thursday said the province's population has increased by about 4,900 people since April 2015, bringing its total population to about 947,000.

    Nova Scotia Population Hits Record High, Thanks Mostly To Immigration