Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan Thanks Supporters; Praise Pours In On Social Media

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan Thanks Supporters; Praise Pours In On Social Media
    Welcome messages also poured in from prominent Pakistanis as #SadiqKhan trended on twitter.

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan Thanks Supporters; Praise Pours In On Social Media

    Populism, Not Conservatism: Six Ways Donald Trump's Not Your Average Republican

    Populism, Not Conservatism: Six Ways Donald Trump's Not Your Average Republican
    WASHINGTON — Donald Trump had a contentious first week for a presumptive presidential nominee.

    Populism, Not Conservatism: Six Ways Donald Trump's Not Your Average Republican

    Can The Trump Card Triumph In November?

    Pundits, pollsters and the President all prophesied that Donald Trump would never be the Republican nominee. A Washington Post columnist even promised to eat his entire column if the Manhattan mogul triumphed.

    Can The Trump Card Triumph In November?

    Canadian Lumber Producers Reject Rumoured U.S. Calls For Return To Quotas

    Canadian Lumber Producers Reject Rumoured U.S. Calls For Return To Quotas
    Canadian forestry company executives are eager for a new softwood lumber agreement but say they are not interest in a rumoured U.S. proposal to reinstate across-the-board quotas.

    Canadian Lumber Producers Reject Rumoured U.S. Calls For Return To Quotas

    Obama Urges Scrutiny Of Donald Trump's Record

    Obama Urges Scrutiny Of Donald Trump's Record
    It's important for us to take seriously the statements he's made in the past,

    Obama Urges Scrutiny Of Donald Trump's Record

    The Face Of Brussels Horror, Airhostess Nidhi Chaphekar Returns To India

    The Face Of Brussels Horror, Airhostess Nidhi Chaphekar Returns To India
    Chaphekar has made significant recovery from her injuries sustained during the blasts at Brussels airport. She is in good spirits and very happy to be back with her family

    The Face Of Brussels Horror, Airhostess Nidhi Chaphekar Returns To India