HRC 53 - 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council 

In this section:

Statements at the Human Rights Council

• Item 3 – Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity 
• Item 3 – Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls
• Item 3 – Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children
• Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women

Side events

• The Ugandan Anti-homosexuality Act: An unprecedented tool of repression
• Marking the 25th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on human rights defenders: Progress in international law, norms and standards, 25 years
• Autonomy v/s Protectionism: Critical Considerations for the Human Rights Council on Sexuality and Gender
• Seven years of the mandate of the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
• Advancing the human rights of trans persons at the United Nations
• Countering anti-gender movements: from mapping to action

Adoption of UPR outcomes

• Benin
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• Peru
• Zambia

Statements at the Human Rights Council 

Item 3 – Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity 

During the dialogue that followed the presentation of the latest report by the UN Independent Expert on SOGI, we pointed out how “the right to freedom of religion or belief and sexual orientation and gender identity are mutually reinforcing and indivisible”. The statement was delivered in consultation with 14 Trans Advocacy Week delegates, who highlighted how laws, policies, and cultural practices worldwide still “perpetuate human rights abuses against LGBTI persons in the name of religion.” 

We also looked at 'conversion therapy', calling for "more exploration" of these "practices in the name of religion" as a means to provide more valuable data to stop them. “Banning conversion practices is not enough. There is a need for individual crisis care and general counselling services for conversion practices survivors that are both LGBTI-inclusive and religion-friendly”. 

Follow this link to download the statement, co-sponsored by RFSL, or watch the video below 

Item 3 – Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls

During the dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, we pointed out how the economic vulnerability of lesbian, bisexual, trans, and intersex women is "often shaped by labour market and employment discrimination, and the group's exclusion from social and civil rights' systems". We also pointed out how LBTI women often have reduced access to social and employment benefits, and face additional barriers to securing housing and shelter. Finally, we encouraged the Working Group to continue assessing the issue of poverty and inequality from the angle of sexual orientation and gender identity, and pay particular attention to the specific barriers and issues faced by LBTI women and gender-diverse persons.

Follow this link to download the statement, co-sponsored by RFSL, or watch the video below 

Item 3 – Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children

During the dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, we pointed out how “Legal exclusion and social limitations increase the risks of LGBTI persons and gender-diverse identities, such as Hijras, of being subjected to human trafficking”. 

Follow this link to download the statement, or watch the video below 

Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women

During the full-day discussion on the human rights of women, ILGA World took the floor to raise awareness of the fact that “lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex women remain underrepresented in public life and decision-making” because of “multiple forms of discrimination and human rights violation".

Follow this link to download the statement, or watch the video below 

Side events

The Ugandan Anti-homosexuality Act: An unprecedented tool of repression

Monday 19 June 2023
5:00 PM CEST
Palais des Nations Room XXV, Geneva

This side event will explore how Ugandan authorities and lawmakers have been persecuting LGBTIQ+ individuals just for being who they are and adopted a number of laws to criminalise them, fuelling a deeply homophobic society. In addition, it will discuss the newly developed anti-homosexuality bill which became effective on May 26, 2023. Join experts and activists, to discuss the situation of LGBTIQ+ persons in Uganda and reflect on the role of the UN Human Rights Council in holding the Ugandan authorities to account for their blatant disregard towards their international obligations.

Learn more here, and watch a recording of the event below:

Marking the 25th anniversary of the UN declaration on human rights defenders: progress in international law, norms and standards, 25 years on

Tuesday 20 June 2023
4:00 PM CEST
Palais des Nations Room XXV, Geneva

This event will highlight the significant developments in international law and standards on the role, recognition and protection of human rights defenders over the past 25 years. The Declaration +25 Project is a civil society-led initiative that seeks to do just that while putting civil society at the centre of a conversation fundamental to them and their work - the right to defend rights. This side event is co-sponsored by a number of civil society organisations and will be available in English. Speakers include Ketakandriana Rafitoson, Transparency International - Initiative Madagascar, Camila Zuluaga Hoyos, Colombian Commission of Jurists, Robby Mokgalaka, The Groundwork Trust and an OHCHR representative (TBC). Learn more here

Autonomy v/s Protectionism: Critical considerations for the Human Rights Council on sexuality and gender

Wednesday 21 June 2023
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CEST
Palais des Nations Room XXV, Geneva

This event discussed protectionist views on women, girls, and other marginalised individuals as inherently vulnerable and in need of state and patriarchal protection. However, these policies sacrifice autonomy and freedom and do not address systemic inequality and root causes of discrimination and violence.

Seven years of the mandate of the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

Wednesday 21 June 2023
3:00 PM CEST
Palais des Nations, Room XXV, Geneva

This side event offered the possibility to create an informal space for reflection on the joint achievements of States, civil society, human rights defenders, and other stakeholders through the methods of work that are administered by the mandate of the IE SOGI (thematic research, country visits, communications); the manner in which these results correlate to the working theories that existed at the time of the creation of the mandate; and the current state of challenges for the future. It also created the space for the current mandate holder to share the management philosophy behind the work of the mandate for the last six years.

>Learn more here

Advancing the human rights of trans persons at the United Nations

Thursday 22 June 2023
3:00 PM CEST
Palais des Nations, Room XXV, Geneva

This side event offered the space for stakeholders to share their lessons learned and advocacy strategies tackling multidimensional and intersectional discrimination as well as forms of violence against trans communities across the world and contributing to the continued progress and promotion of trans rights at the Human Rights Council. Learn more here

>Countering anti-gender movements: from mapping to action

Friday 23 June 2023
3:00 PM CEST
Palais des Nations, Room XXV, Geneva

Read our livetweet to find out more about this event

Adoption of UPR outcomes

• Benin
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• Peru
• Zambia