Close X
Thursday, November 7, 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

    Canada Faces Tuesday EU Visa Deadline In Long-running Romania, Bulgaria Spat

    It is part of an ongoing dispute in which the EU has pushed Canada to lift its requirement on travellers from its member countries, Romania and Bulgaria.

    Canada Faces Tuesday EU Visa Deadline In Long-running Romania, Bulgaria Spat

    Kathleen Wynne Says Byelection Fundraising Changes May Change Before Other Reforms

    TORONTO — Premier Kathleen Wynne says with a byelection on the horizon, fundraising rules around those interim races may change before she proposes broader reforms this spring.

    Kathleen Wynne Says Byelection Fundraising Changes May Change Before Other Reforms

    Pathankot: NIA Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Jaish Chief

    Pathankot: NIA Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Jaish Chief
    The non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued against Azhar, his brother Abdul Rauf and two other JeM operatives - Kashif Jan and Shahid Latif.

    Pathankot: NIA Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Jaish Chief

    Quebec Cops On Un Business In Haiti Had Sex With Locals: Radio-Canada

    Radio-Canada said one Montreal police officer had a child with his housekeeper in 2013 and that he was suspended for nine days.

    Quebec Cops On Un Business In Haiti Had Sex With Locals: Radio-Canada

    FBI continues to debate sharing iPhone hack with Apple

    FBI continues to debate sharing iPhone hack with Apple
    WASHINGTON — The FBI has not decided whether to share with Apple Inc. details about how the bureau hacked into an iPhone linked to a California terrorism investigation, the bureau's director says.

    FBI continues to debate sharing iPhone hack with Apple

    13-Year-Old Romanian Sex Slave Freed By Italian Police

    13-Year-Old Romanian Sex Slave Freed By Italian Police
    Police in Italy on Thursday said they rescued a 13-year-old Romanian girl whose relatives forced her to work as a prostitute and beggar in Rome and starved, beat and tortured her if she rebelled.

    13-Year-Old Romanian Sex Slave Freed By Italian Police