UN CALLS FOR AN END TO GAY KILLINGS

The first ever United Nations report on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

The U.N.’s top human rights official urged countries to abolish legal discrimination against gays, including the death penalty for consensual sex, days after the U.S. government said it would use foreign aid and diplomacy to promote gay equal rights.

The first ever United Nations report on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people details how around the world people are killed or endure hate-motivated violence, torture, detention, criminalisation and discrimination in jobs, health care and education because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

The report, released by the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, outlines “a pattern of human rights violations… that demands a response,” and says governments have too of ten overlooked violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The High Commissioner also calls on countries to ensure that no one fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is returned to a territory where their life or freedom is at threat, and that asylum laws recognise that sexual orientation or gender identity is a valid basis for claiming persecution.

In 76 countries it remains illegal to engage in same-sex conduct and in at least five countries – Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen – the death penalty prevails.


(2012-01-08/Qnews)