ADVANCING EQUALITY #3 – OCTOBER 2017

There have been many conferences, workshops, publications, announcements and developments in the last seven months but we will do our best to round-up the most important news and jog your memories!

Cycle 3 of the Universal Periodic Review has officially started and in support of 12 human rights defenders ILGA, alongside COC, conducted another SOGIESC UPR Advocacy Week.

ILGA has had the honour of supporting the participation of LGBT civil society representatives from Russia making statements at this month’s Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

We have also launched three editions of the new Special Procedures Bulletin which includes sections on thematic and country reports presented by Special Proceduresindependent human rights experts within the UN Human Rights Council with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be re-conducted for another three years. Special procedures can undertake country visits, and act on individual cases of reported violations by sending communications to States and others. They also engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, provide advice for technical cooperation, and contribute to the development of international human rights standards.
mandate holders and the latest communications by mandate holders.

We were sad to get the news that Independent Expert on SOGIabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity, Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn has resigned from the position. We would like to take this opportunity to wish him health and support during this period. Please see ILGA’s statement regarding Professor Muntarbhorn’s resignation here. We are already working hard to make sure that the best person will be appointed as his successor!

Finally, we would like to welcome Callum Birch and Lara Goodwin to the UN programme who are interning with us for a few months. You may already be engaging with them, or perhaps will meet them at one of the upcoming conferences!

It will be a busy end to 2017 and we’re looking forward to what 2018 will bring!

UN SOGIabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity Coordination Meeting, March 2017

On 1-2 March 2017, ILGA helped co-organize a meeting in Geneva for 11 organizations from around the world that work on SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. issues at the UN to both ensure better collaboration and coordination as well as avoid duplication of work. There were also discussions on various challenges faced worldwide, the opportunities present, as well as some of the strategies being pursued in advocating on SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. issues in the contemporary scenario at the UN level: namely with upwards of 18 UN mechanisms and agencies such as the Human Rights Council, World Health Organisation, the SDGs etc.

A report of the meeting, is available on request from [email protected].

World Pride Human Rights Summit, Madrid June 2017

The ILGA UN Programme participated in the International Human Rights Conference of WorldPride Madrid 2017, including speaking at a plenary panel on “How International Bodies can contribute to LGBTIQA+ Human Rights” on 28 June 2017.

Treaty Bodies: progressive recommendations on intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. and transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. people, LBT(I) women and persons with disabilities

During this year, 14 sessions of the seven Treaty Bodies[1] have already been held. LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. submissions have been provided for most of these sessions, and representatives of LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. groups from different regions attended them, many with the support of ILGA.

Here, we would like to highlight some of the most progressive developments and recommendations made on SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. by UN Treaty Bodies from January–September 2017.

CESCR (intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against.):

The 61^st session of CESCR, which reviewed Australia[2] and the Netherlands, [3]  proved to be ground-breaking with Concluding Observationsobservations and recommendations issued by a treaty body after it has considered a State party’s report and reports submitted by civil society organisations and had a dialogue with the State. marking concerns about, and giving recommendations on, subjecting intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. children to medical interventions before they are able to provide full and informed consent.

CEDAW (LBT(I) women’s health needs and genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. reassignment/legal genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. recognition):

This year has marked two particularly interesting developments at CEDAW sessions.

In the reviews of Barbados and Ukraine, CEDAW paid specific attention to LBT(I) women’s sexual and reproductive health needs.[4]

In the review of Germany[5] and Montenegro[6] CEDAW examined genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. reassignment treatment and legal gender recognitionlaws, administrative procedures or processes by which a person can change their sex/gender marker and names on official identity documents. procedures and made recommendations following written reports and presentations by civil society representatives.[7]

CRPD (intersections between SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. and disability):

Remarkable progress has been achieved by the CRPD. Apart from specific intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. references and general concerns and recommendations on LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. persons with disabilities, a new conception of “discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. against persons perceived to have a disability” has been introduced in the Committee’s Concluding Observationsobservations and recommendations issued by a treaty body after it has considered a State party’s report and reports submitted by civil society organisations and had a dialogue with the State.. This was seen in the Concluding Observationsobservations and recommendations issued by a treaty body after it has considered a State party’s report and reports submitted by civil society organisations and had a dialogue with the State. of both Iran[8] and Morocco. [9]

CESCR review of the Russian Federation

In October, ILGA had the honour of supporting the participation of the Informational and Monitoring Coordinator from (name withheld), in the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) review of Russia, as well as three other States, in Geneva.

We would also like to remind you of ILGA’s CESCR practical guide on gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. and expression that is available in English and in Russian.

Pushing for SOGIESC-inclusive interpretation of the UN Conventions: ILGA’s submissions for new General Comments

Our submission for CAT was related to its Draft Revised General Comment on the implementation of article 3 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in the context of article 22.

Our submission for CRPD has been prepared in consultation with Transgender Europe (TGEU), InterACT: Advocates for Intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. Youth, Organisation Intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. International Australia, and the (name withheld).

Right now, CRPD has invited NGOs to provide their comments on the first draft of the General Comment on the right to equality and non-discrimination. The deadline is on 15 November 2017.

If you are interested in working on SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. submission, please contact us ([email protected])

“Can CEDAW Advance LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. Rights?” Event

ILGA participated in a discussion entitled “Can CEDAW advance LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. rights?” on 5 September 2017 organized by the University of Geneva where we discussed the strategies for the promotion of LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. rights at CEDAW with Marjolein van den Brink, Professor at Utrecht Law School and Ratna Kapur, and Visiting Professor at Queen Mary University of London.

We also looked at how can LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. rights be advanced while being sensitive to power relations in the postcolonial.

A video of the event is here: https://mediaserver.unige.ch/play/103265

New: ILGA’s Special Procedures Bulletin

A monthly Special Proceduresindependent human rights experts within the UN Human Rights Council with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be re-conducted for another three years. Special procedures can undertake country visits, and act on individual cases of reported violations by sending communications to States and others. They also engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, provide advice for technical cooperation, and contribute to the development of international human rights standards.
bulletin has been created with the aim of providing LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. defenders with relevant information about upcoming opportunities, recent reports and calls for submissions. To date, three issues (July, August and September) have been prepared and distributed.

Each bulletin contains several sections including:

• Thematic and country reports that are presented by Special Proceduresindependent human rights experts within the UN Human Rights Council with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be re-conducted for another three years. Special procedures can undertake country visits, and act on individual cases of reported violations by sending communications to States and others. They also engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, provide advice for technical cooperation, and contribute to the development of international human rights standards.
  mandate holders during the Human Rights Council’s and the General Assembly’s sessions;
• Open calls for civil society input public consultations and upcoming country visitsmissions carried out by UN Special Procedure mandate holders to assess the situation of human rights in a specific country. During their missions, they will meet with national and local authorities, national human rights institutions, as well as with NGOs, civil society, and survivors of human rights violations. Findings, conclusions and recommendations of such missions are published in reports to the Human Rights Council.;
• Latest communications and statements by mandate holders on LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. issues;
• Appointments of Special Proceduresindependent human rights experts within the UN Human Rights Council with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be re-conducted for another three years. Special procedures can undertake country visits, and act on individual cases of reported violations by sending communications to States and others. They also engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, provide advice for technical cooperation, and contribute to the development of international human rights standards.
  ; and
• A list of resources for advocacy with Special Proceduresindependent human rights experts within the UN Human Rights Council with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be re-conducted for another three years. Special procedures can undertake country visits, and act on individual cases of reported violations by sending communications to States and others. They also engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, provide advice for technical cooperation, and contribute to the development of international human rights standards.
  mechanisms.

During the 35^th Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations. session (June 2017), ILGA together with COC Netherlands, and in consultation with local groups, prepared and delivered a statement on the report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women.

The UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

ILGA has continued to work closely with Vitit Muntarbhorn, the UN’s Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identityabbreviated form to refer to the IESOGI – a UN Special Procedures mandate specifically dedicated to addressing violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.. We provided expert input for his two first reports – one to the Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations. and one to the General Assemblythe main deliberative and policy-making organ of the United Nations which makes decisions on international issues such as development and peace and security. All 193 member States are represented, and each has one vote.; both can be found here.

In June, Professor Muntarbhorn presented his findings to the Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations. and ILGA made a public statement welcoming the report

https://youtu.be/62xYQFwQPj0

Unfortunately, in September Professor Muntarbhorn resigned for illness and family reasons. The effective date of his resignation is 31 October 2017.

As this position has now become vacant, ILGA has been keeping abreast of developments, sharing information about the vacancy widely and encouraging good candidates to apply. The deadline is on 11 October 2017 and full details on how to apply are here.

The new Independent Expert will be appointed on 4 December 2017 by the Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations.. Back in August 2016, ILGA prepared criteria to guide governments in their appointment of a candidate. These can be found here.

27^th UPR Working Groupthe body that conducts the Universal Periodic Review and consists of all 193 member States of the United Nations meeting together. All States can engage in the interactive dialogue and make recommendations. The Working Group convenes three times per year in Geneva, Switzerland in what is called a Working Group session. Fourteen (14) member States are reviewed during each Working Group session. Session

With 114 SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. recommendations, Cycle 3 of the Universal Periodic Review has officially started. 14 States were reviewed during this new cycle: Algeria, Brazil, Ecuador, Finland, India, Indonesia, Morocco, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Tunisia and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Without a doubt, progress has been made during these working group sessions. States asked 25 SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. advanced questions to the States under review. Morocco received its first ever UPR recommendations on sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender.. States addressed for the first-time recommendations on the prohibition of sterilization for legal gender recognitionlaws, administrative procedures or processes by which a person can change their sex/gender marker and names on official identity documents. and prohibition on forced anal examinations. Two specific recommendations were made on intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. issues and 12 specific recommendations were made on gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. issues.

In preparation of this working group session, 12 human rights defenders from Ecuador, Indonesia, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Poland and South Africa joined the SOGIESC UPR Advocacy Week. ILGA also technically supported defenders from Finland, India and the UK.

For a complete report on the Geneva advocacy, working group sessions and UPR outcomes please see here.

28^th UPR Working Group Session

This Autumn, ILGA and other partners are preparing to receive 13 defenders from: Ghana, Peru, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Pakistan, Ukraine and Sri Lanka.

They will be participating in our SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. UPR Advocacy Week to talk with diplomats, UN staff and defenders from all around the world as well as being trained on the ins and outs of the UPR.

Be sure to tune into our social media to get a sneak peak of this new edition of the SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. UPR Advocacy Week (9-13 October).

The UN Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations. meets three times every year – March, June and September – to discuss and take action on a wide range of human rights issues all round the world. At every council, LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. issues come up for discussion in a variety of different ways and ILGA engages with them.

Three Human Rights Councils have passed since the last bulletin. Here are two highlights:

In June 2017, aside from working with the Independent Expert on SOGIabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity (see the other section of this bulletin), ILGA also worked hard with other NGOs on advocacy related to the resolution on the protection of the family. We joined a statement publicly calling on the Core Group of that resolution to withdraw it or for members of the Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations. to amend or vote against it. You can find the statement here.

In September, we worked hard with other NGOs on advocacy around the Death Penalty resolution to ensure that strong language was included on a range of issues including condemning the use of the death penalty for apostasy, blasphemy, adultery and consensual same-sex relations. It was a historic first for the United Nationsan international organisation comprising 193 member States. It has the mission of maintaining peace and security, protecting human rights, providing humanitarian aid and ensuring economic and social development across the globe. It is a network of many different bodies and agencies, each of which has a particular role and responsibility. Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations.. More details are here.

ILGA prepares summaries of reports for each Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations. session and engages at each of them in multiple ways. Further details of engagement at each session can be found here:

• March 2017, the 34^th Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations.
• June 2017, the 35^th Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations.
• September 2017, the 36^th Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations.

For information on the reports presented during the HRC 36, please check out this pre-reporting.

ILGA’s Gender Identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. and Gender Expressionrefers to how a person presents their gender through physical appearance – including dress, hairstyles, accessories, cosmetics – and mannerisms, speech, behavioural patterns, names and personal references. Programme will be publishing its second Transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Legal Mapping Report. The report is a comprehensive record of laws, administrative procedures and processes that concern and govern transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. and gender-diverse people around the world.

We are excited to launch the report at the upcoming ILGA-LAC conference in Guatemala, in November, and the ILGA-Asia conference in Phnom Penh, in December. Both of these conferences will also have transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. pre-conference sessions so please keep an eye outbeing open about their diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. for announcements on the conference websites.

We hope that the research contributes to data and analysis of transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. rights around the world, and that our second report will be as useful to human rights activists, states, researchers and other interested parties as our first.

Training of Faith-based Organizations Women’s Rights Advocates in LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. Rights

ILGA helped train around 40 women’s rights advocates from churches around the world during the Lutheran World Federation’s “Women’s Human Rights Advocacy for Faith-based Organizations” in July 2017 that took place around the CEDAW session in Geneva. The training focussed on raising awareness of LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. human rights issues in multiple contexts, emphasizing their intersection with many other issues and highlighting ways that churches could engage in advocacy to support LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. communities. Details of the full training are here.

UN Mechanisms: Reflecting Lesbians’ (In)visibility and claiming space

At the European Lesbianadjective/noun to describe a woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. Conference in Vienna in October 2017, ILGA, ARC and COC-Netherlands conducted a workshop which provided participants with basic information about Treaty Bodies and the Universal Periodic Review. The workshop identified key lesbianadjective/noun to describe a woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. issues in participants’ countries and made plans for how these could be documented, effectively delivered to UN spaces and ultimately transformed.

UPR Advocacy Weeks

During the UPR Advocacy weeks, ILGA trains defenders from around the world in UN-related advocacy.

November 1-4, 2017: ILGA Europe Annual Conference (Warsaw)

The ILGA UN Team will be at the ILGA Europe Conference. We will be participating in workshops and providing one-on-one consultations on UN Advocacy.

November 16-19, 2017: ILGA LAC Annual Conference (Guatemala City)

The UPR Programme will be at ILGA LAC. If you want to talk with us about submissions, in-country advocacy, follow-up and the UPR in general. Look for us or write in advance to our UPR desk: [email protected]. We will be happy to allocate time to answer all your questions.

December 4-8, 2017: ILGA Asia Regional Conference (Phnom Penh)

The ILGA UN Team will be at the ILGA Asia Conference. We will be providing a training during the pre-conferences on UN human rights advocacy as well as organizing several workshops during the conference itself looking at the UPR, Treaty Bodies, and Special Proceduresindependent human rights experts within the UN Human Rights Council with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be re-conducted for another three years. Special procedures can undertake country visits, and act on individual cases of reported violations by sending communications to States and others. They also engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, provide advice for technical cooperation, and contribute to the development of international human rights standards.
.

Please find upcoming Treaty Body deadlines here.
Please find UPR deadlines here.

March 22, 2018: Deadline for submitting UPR submissions from NGOs in: Saudi Arabia, Senegal, China, Nigeria, Mexico, Mauritius, Jordan, Malaysia, Central African Republic, Monaco, Belize, Chad, Congo, Malta.

Newsletter prepared by:

Lara Goodwin
Daniele Paletta

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[1] HRCtee – Human Rights Committee; CESCR – Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; CAT – Committee against Torture; CRC – Committee on the Rights of the Child; CEDAW – Committee on the Elimination of Discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. against Women; CERD – Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others.; and CRPD – Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

[2] E/C.12/AUS/CO/5, para. 49-50

[3] E/C.12/NLD/CO/6, para. 46-47.

[4] See Concluding Observationsobservations and recommendations issued by a treaty body after it has considered a State party’s report and reports submitted by civil society organisations and had a dialogue with the State. on Barbados, CEDAW/C/BRB/CO/5-8, paras. 35(b) & 36(c), and Concluding Observationsobservations and recommendations issued by a treaty body after it has considered a State party’s report and reports submitted by civil society organisations and had a dialogue with the State. on Ukraine, CEDAW/C/UKR/CO/8, paras. 44 & 45.

[5] CEDAW/C/DEU/CO/7-8, para. 45-46

[6] Ibid, para. 47(b).

[7] See particularly: a submission by TransInterQueer e.V. (Germany) and a submission by Juventas (Montenegro) for the Session.

[8] CRPD/C/IRN/CO/1, para. 12(b), 13(c), 19(c).

[9] CRPD/C/MAR/CO/1, para. 20- 21.