New York, 07 November 2019 – The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution presenting the Annual Report of the Human Rights Council today without challenge to the extension of the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination on the basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (IE SOGI). 

In 2016 when the mandate was created, an amendment challenging it was tabled at  the Third Committee. This year, a record-high number of States supported the renewal of the mandate at the Human Rights Council in July, and the mandate was not challenged in the Third Committee. 

"The tireless, sustained outreach efforts of civil society from the grassroots up was essential to this achievement,’ explains Nepali human rights defender Manisha Dhakal from Blue Diamond Society. ‘Over many years, we have worked together to build a truly global movement that queered the UN."   

1,312 non-governmental organisations from 174 States and territories campaigned for a renewal of the IE SOGI mandate. While the mandate was not challenged today, civil society will remain vigilant to any future attempts to undermine the crucial work of the Independent Expert. 

Since 2016, through the work of this mandate, the international community has become increasingly aware of the devastating impact of the criminalisation of same-sex relations and the lack of legal gender recognition, but also of the importance of data-collection specific to LGBT communities, and of how hatred against LGBT people is hindering their full participation in society.

“We are delighted to hear that the process of the renewal of the mandate passed this stage without being challenged,”  said Luz Elena Aranda and Tuisina Ymania Brown, Co-Secretaries General of ILGA World. “The decision shows that, since the mandate was created three years ago, the international community has become both more aware and less tolerant of violence and discrimination on the basis of SOGI"

Civil society looks forward to the future activities of the expert. Victor Madrigal-Borloz is set to visit Sri Lanka in 2020 and has tabled 12 requests for as many country visits. We encourage all governments to cooperate fully with the UN Independent Expert on SOGI and contribute to bringing about a world free from violence and discrimination for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

"While the mandate was created in a context of controversy, it has proven its importance and legitimacy through its work,’ says Algerian human rights defender Yahia Zaidi of MantiQitna. ‘In every country around the world, there are steps that can be taken to make communities safer and more inclusive for LGBT persons. The Independent Expert helps to make us visible, and to keep our communities moving forward."

Note to editors: 

• This resolution is presented each year by a group of African States. The resolution notes the report of the Human Rights Council. The report of the Human Rights Council contains all action taken by the Human Rights Council that year - this year that included the renewal of the mandate of the IE SOGI this July.
• The UN Independent Expert on SOGI is tasked with assessing implementation of existing international human rights law, by talking to States and working collaboratively with other UN and regional mechanisms to address violence and discrimination. 
• The formation of the IE SOGI mandate was challenged in the Third Committee in 2016. 
• Since 2016, through the work of this mandate, the international community has become increasingly aware of the devastating impact of the criminalisation of same-sex relations and the lack of legal gender recognition, but also of the importance of data-collection specific to LGBT communities, and of how hatred against LGBT people is hindering their full participation in society. At the same time, examples of good practices to prevent discrimination have been highlighted globally, as the Independent Expert has undertaken visits to Argentina, Georgia, Mozambique and Ukraine.