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

    Donald Trump To Discuss Terrorism Watch List, No Fly Ban With NRA

    Donald Trump To Discuss Terrorism Watch List, No Fly Ban With NRA
    Happy to meet @realdonaldtrump. Our position is no guns for terrorists_period. Due process & right to self-defence for law-abiding Americans

    Donald Trump To Discuss Terrorism Watch List, No Fly Ban With NRA

    Was Orlando Gunman Omar Mateen Sexually Conflicted? And Did It Matter?

    Was Orlando Gunman Omar Mateen Sexually Conflicted? And Did It Matter?
    Over the years, there has been a string of politicians and pastors who publicly opposed various gay-rights initiatives, and eventually were implicated in furtive same-sex liaisons.

    Was Orlando Gunman Omar Mateen Sexually Conflicted? And Did It Matter?

    Nova Scotians Can Soon Buy Insurance For Pre-Arranged Funerals

    Nova Scotians Can Soon Buy Insurance For Pre-Arranged Funerals
    Service Nova Scotia Minister Mark Furey says the amendments to the Cemetery and Funeral Services Act and the Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act will take effect in September.

    Nova Scotians Can Soon Buy Insurance For Pre-Arranged Funerals

    Michelle Obama Urges Men At Women's Summit To 'Be Better'

    Michelle Obama Urges Men At Women's Summit To 'Be Better'
    It was a summit on the "United State of Women," but Michelle Obama had advice for the men in the audience: Be better.

    Michelle Obama Urges Men At Women's Summit To 'Be Better'

    Beat The Press: Donald Trump's Contempt For Media Is Calculated

    Beat The Press: Donald Trump's Contempt For Media Is Calculated
    NEW YORK — Donald Trump's favourite nickname for the news media is the "dishonest press." He swaps in "disgusting press" from time to time.

    Beat The Press: Donald Trump's Contempt For Media Is Calculated

    Hillary Clinton Says Trump's Orlando Response Merely 'Bizarre Rants'

    He is the Republican nominee for president," she said, almost incredulously. "We don't need conspiracy theories and pathological self-congratulations

    Hillary Clinton Says Trump's Orlando Response Merely 'Bizarre Rants'