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

    How Homophobia Has Complicated The Grieving Process In Orlando

    ORLANDO, United States — As families prepare to bury the dead from Orlando's massacre, Rob Domenico describes an additional layer of grief lingering overhead.

    How Homophobia Has Complicated The Grieving Process In Orlando

    US Senate Exposed Hollowness Of Modi's Claims: Congress

    US Senate Exposed Hollowness Of Modi's Claims: Congress
    The Congress on Thursday sought to puncture claims on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successful tour of the United States, saying the US Senate finally "exposed the hollowness and the falsity of the claims" made by Modi and his propagandists.

    US Senate Exposed Hollowness Of Modi's Claims: Congress

    First Sikh Sworn-In As Police Officer In US City

    First Sikh Sworn-In As Police Officer In US City
    Varinder Khun Khun, who was born in India, graduated from the Napa Police Academy on June 11 along with two other officers. 

    First Sikh Sworn-In As Police Officer In US City

    Pakistan Lawmaker Booked For Abusing Woman Activist On Live TV Debate

    Pakistan Lawmaker Booked For Abusing Woman Activist On Live TV Debate
    The ugly incident happened during a private TV talk show last week when Hafiz Hamdullah of Jamiat Ulema-e-Isla Fazal (JUI-F) became furious at Marvi Sarmad for speaking against honour killing.

    Pakistan Lawmaker Booked For Abusing Woman Activist On Live TV Debate

    Why ISIS Is Finding Pakistan A Slippery Target

    Why ISIS Is Finding Pakistan A Slippery Target
    White House hopeful Donald Trump mentioned Pakistan in a speech this week in New Hampshire as he doubled down on anti-immigration threats in the wake of the bloody rampage in Orlando.

    Why ISIS Is Finding Pakistan A Slippery Target

    'Not The America We Want': Obama Blasts Trump's Muslim Plans

    'Not The America We Want': Obama Blasts Trump's Muslim Plans
    That's not the America we want. It does not reflect our democratic ideals

    'Not The America We Want': Obama Blasts Trump's Muslim Plans