Gender DynamiX welcomes the Renewal mandate of the United Nations Independent Expert against violence and discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity for the next three years by the Human Rights Council. GDX would like to acknowledge and thank each state which voted for the mandate to be renewed and most importantly voting against 10 hostile amendments to the mandate.  The mandate of the Independent Expert on the Protection Against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity was established by the Human Rights Council resolution 32/2, adopted in 2016.

 

The renewal of the mandate is vital to the African Region due to arrests, killings, corrective rape, to mention a few, that the LGBTI movement continues to face on the continent. The hostility in Africa needs to be continually monitored by the Human Rights Council through the United Nations Independent Expert. The mandate has proven thus far, to be beneficial in protecting the human rights of the LGBTI movement. It cannot be denied that there being diverse sexual orientation and gender identities has been the basis for individuals who in turn experience violation that are dehumanising impacting on one’s human dignity.

 

There is still so much more that needs to be done thus the need for the renewal. The United Nations Human Rights Council has sent a strong message of support and solidarity to those living in fear of their lives due to their diverse identities in States that consider consensual same sex relations as a punishable offence.  Victor Madrigal Borloz from Costa Rica, previously held the mandate and has done exceptionally well in contributing to today’s victory, we thank you Comrade Victor. Thank you to the 1312 non-governmental organisations from the 174 States for campaigning for the renewal of the mandate. It was an immense task which has been successfully executed. The 12th of July 2019 will go down in our history books as a day when 27 members of the Human Rights Council voted in favour of the renewal, 12 voting against and 7 abstentions.

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