Human Rights Council 17

th
Session
(Geneva, 30 May - 17 June 011!
"#$lanation o% vote
&Se#ual '(ientation) (*+, (ev 1)
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Member States of the European Union that are
members of the Human Rights Council. his e!planation of vote "as agree# b$ the EU as a
"hole.
Mr %resi#ent&
he European Union "oul# like to thank South 'frica for tabling this ver$ important
resolution.
(e "oul# also like to commen# South 'frica for the transparent approach #uring negotiations
an# "illingness to consi#er an$ suggeste# amen#ments. In this respect "e thank the
#elegation of South 'frica for accommo#ating man$ EU concerns& thus making it possible for
us to support the resolution.
his resolution is an important step in a##ressing the issue of #iscrimination an# violence
against people because of their se!ual orientation an# gen#er i#entit$. he mo#alities
envisage# are simple an# transparent. It seeks to #ocument #iscriminator$ la"s& practices an#
acts of violence in a stu#$ commissione# b$ the High Commissioner an# to organise a panel
#iscussion to consi#er the fin#ings.
's such& "e believe it represents a genuine attempt to create an open& constructive space for
#ialogue on a sensitive issue.
Mr %resi#ent&
he resolution #oes not seek to create ne" rights but simpl$ affirms the application of
e!isting human rights stan#ar#s to those "ho face human rights abuses an# violations because
the$ are lesbian& ga$& bise!ual an# transgen#er.
)uring this session of the Human Rights Council& "e have hear# Special Rapporteurs #etail
some horren#ous e!amples of violence against people because of their se!ual orientation an#
gen#er i#entit$.
(e have hear# ho"& #uring the past *+ months& ,* people "ere mur#ere# in one countr$
alone because of their se!ual orientation. (e have hear# about "omen being violentl$ rape#
an# torture# because of their se!ual orientation& in an attempt to -put them straight-. (e have
hear# about people hel# in arbitrar$ #etention or sentence# to #eath& some of them minors&
because of their se!ual orientation.
(e also kno" that such acts are often un#er.#ocumente# because victims of se!ual violence
are reluctant to bring in formal complaints& "hen proper proce#ures e!ist.
So "e nee# to have a fuller picture of such acts of violence across the "orl# an# "e then nee#
to see ho" "e can best a##ress this /uestion.
'lthough issues of se!ual orientation an# gen#er i#entit$ are sensitive issues for man$ States&
"e hope "e can all agree that no human being shoul# face such violence& torture&
stigmatisation an# abuse.
Mr %resi#ent&
0or these reasons& an# in recognition of the fact that this Council is 1responsible for
promoting universal protection of all human rights an# fun#amental free#oms for all& "ithout
#istinction of an$ kin# an# in a fair an# e/ual manner& the EU "ill be voting in favour of the
resolution.
I thank $ou for $our attention.