Register to join us on Tuesday 14 June for an event to discuss the impact of the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on SOGI in the promotion and protection of human rights during the past five years.
Date: Tuesday 14 June 2022
Time: 13:15 – 14:30 CEST
Event mode: hybrid
Event languages: English / Spanish
Follow this link to register and participate in the event
The flyer of the HRC 50 side event on "The impact of the work of the IESOGI mandate from 2017 to 2022",
showing the logos of the organisers, date and time, and a list of speakers.
A line in rainbow colours crosses the image diagonally.
The side event will be an important opportunity to invite different stakeholders to discuss the impact of the IESOGI mandate in the promotion and protection of human rights during the period 2017 – 2022. It will also provide an opportunity to discuss ideas for addressing the challenges in the implementation of the IESOGI mandate in the future.
Opening statements:
H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
H.E. Mr. Federico Villegas, President of Human Rights Council.
Chair:
H.E. Ms. Claudia Fuentes, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations and other international organizations. Opening remarks.
Speakers:
Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz, United Nation Independent Expert on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
Ms. Julia Ehrt, ILGA World’s Executive Director
Ms. Alba Rueda, Special Representative on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina.
Ms. Alejandra Costa, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations and other international organizations.
Organisers:
Permanent Missions to the United Nations in Geneva of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay; ILGA World; ISHR
Background
Throughout history, people have suffered discrimination and violence based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, without distinction of any kind. States are required under international human rights law to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all persons without any form of discrimination.
This is a cross-cutting obligation that is contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other core international human rights instruments. Yet in all regions of the world, there are acts of violence and discrimination committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Responding to this dire reality, in 2016 the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), through Resolution 32/2, created the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (IE-SOGI) and in June 2019 the HRC renewed the mandate through Resolution 41/18.
The IE-SOGI is mandated to explore ways to better protect persons who suffer from violence and discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity through, inter alia, transmitting urgent appeals and letters of allegations to States with regard to cases of violence and discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity; undertaking fact-finding country visits; and submitting thematic reports to the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly.
Since the creation of the IE-SOGI mandate a lot of important work has been done, that has contributed to promote the respect, the protection and the fulfilment of the human rights of persons with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as to uphold the principles of substantive equality and non-discrimination. At the same time, challenges remain to strengthen the mandates impact on the ground, as well as to ensure it has enough resources and is known and accessible to all individuals around the globe.