Project: Vulnerable Groups And Security Sector Reform: LGBT Case Study26Sep2014
The UN Human Rights Council has adopted resolutions on civil society space, human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity
During the work at its 27th session the UN Human Rights Council has also adopted resolutions on civil society space and on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity.
In a resolution (A/HRC/27/L.24) on civil society space, adopted without a vote, as orally revised, the Council urges States to create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment in which civil society can operate free from hindrance and insecurity; urges States to acknowledge publicly the important and legitimate role of civil society in the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law and to engage with civil society to enable it to participate in the public debate on decisions that would contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law; urges States to ensure access to justice, accountability and end impunity for human rights violations and abuses against civil society actors; and urges all non-State actors to respect all human rights and not to undermine the capacity of civil society to operate free from hindrance and insecurity.
The Council requests the High Commissioner to prepare a compilation of practical recommendations for the creation and maintenance of a safe and enabling environment for civil society and to submit the compilation to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-second session; and decides to remain seized of the matter.
In a resolution (A/HRC/27/L.27/Rev.1) on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, adopted by a vote of 25 in favour, 14 against and seven abstentions, the Council takes note with appreciation of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights entitled “Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity” (A/HRC/19/41) and of the panel discussion held at the nineteenth session of the Human Rights Council; requests the High Commissioner to update the report (A/HRC/19/41) with a view to sharing good practices and ways to overcome violence and discrimination, in application of existing international human rights law and standards, and to present it to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-ninth session; and decides to remain seized of this issue.
The result of the vote was as follows: in favour (25), against (14) and 7 abstentions.