Behind the Mask | The Voice of Africa's LGBTI Community

Human rights advocates have commended the stance taken by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), granting the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) a consultative status at its council stating it is as a milestone for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community.

The decision made on 19 July 2010 saw IGLHRC become the tenth organisation working primarily for LGBTI human rights, gain such status at the United Nations following solidarity actions of over 200 NGOs from 59 countries who endorsed a letter to all United Nations member states, demanding fair and non-discriminatory treatment.

Cary Alan Johnson, IGLHRC Executive Director, said the decision is an affirmation that the voices of LGBTI people have a place at the United Nations as part of a vital civil society community.

“The clear message here is that these voices should not be silenced and that human rights cannot be denied on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity”, said Johnson.

This status will now allow IGLHRC to participate in a more formal way through attending meetings, submitting statements and collaborating with the United Nations and governments in the international human-rights arena.

Considered as a leading international organisation dedicated to human rights advocacy for people who experience discrimination or abuse on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, IGLHRC is now one of more than 3,200 NGOs who have consultative status with the ECOSOC.

Frank Mugisha, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda praised the decision, saying as human rights defenders and LGBTI people living in countries where homophobic discrimination is a daily reality, we celebrate the accreditation of IGLHRC at the UN(United Nations).”

Toni Reis from an LGBT group in Brazil said, “We celebrate this decision,” and emphasized that it is crucial that LGBTI, non government organisations are granted the opportunity to participate in the United Nations human rights debate and that in future organisations should receive full and fair reviews before the NGO Committee.

According to the IGLHRC the victory continues the upward course for LGBT rights at the United Nations and is particularly significant as it comes after a prolonged three year application process in the sub-committee which makes initial recommendations on status.

In a statement United States President Barrack Obama said this is an important step forward for human rights and that the United Nations is closer to the ideals of inclusion and equality on which it was founded and to which the United States is “deeply committed.”

“The UN was founded on the premise that only through mutual respect, diversity, and dialogue can the international community effectively pursue justice and equality”, the statement read.

The ECOSOC serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations. Their mandate includes promoting higher standards of living, full employment, economic and social progress, and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Article by Simangele Mzizi (BTM Reporter)

Tags: gays, human rights, IGLHRC, lesbians, united Nations

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 12:23 pm and is filed under Breaking News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.