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

    Modi Strikes Sympathy Chord With Terror-Hit Brussels

    Modi Strikes Sympathy Chord With Terror-Hit Brussels
    Modi, who laid a wreath at the Maalbeek metro station that had been hit by a massive suicide bombing on March 22, offered deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the terror strikes in Brussels last week. 

    Modi Strikes Sympathy Chord With Terror-Hit Brussels

    Egg Addling Program Shakes Up Canada Geese Population In Okanagan

    Egg Addling Program Shakes Up Canada Geese Population In Okanagan
    Airborne flocks of Canada geese can be symbols of beauty and freedom, but the mess they leave behind on landing can quickly foul parks and beaches.

    Egg Addling Program Shakes Up Canada Geese Population In Okanagan

    Justice Department Cracks San Bernardino Gunman's iPhone; Withdraws Legal Action

    Justice Department Cracks San Bernardino Gunman's iPhone; Withdraws Legal Action
    Apple did not immediately comment on the development.

    Justice Department Cracks San Bernardino Gunman's iPhone; Withdraws Legal Action

    Five Things To Know About The Health Of Newly Arrived Syrian Refugees

    Five Things To Know About The Health Of Newly Arrived Syrian Refugees
    The report was published by the Public Health Agency of Canada and is the first comprehensive look at the status of the entire group. 

    Five Things To Know About The Health Of Newly Arrived Syrian Refugees

    Body Of Indian Killed In Brussels Terror Attack Reaches Chennai

    Body Of Indian Killed In Brussels Terror Attack Reaches Chennai
    The body was taken to his relatives house in a city suburb for performance of last rites.

    Body Of Indian Killed In Brussels Terror Attack Reaches Chennai

    'No Parliamentary Probe Into Indian Family In S. Africa'

    South African parliament can not conduct investigations into the alleged "state capture" by the Indian Gupta family, Moloto Mothapo, parliamentary spokesperson said on Monday.

    'No Parliamentary Probe Into Indian Family In S. Africa'