HRC session 61 – ILGA World’s engagement (February-March 2026)

On this page, you will find information about the work of ILGA World during the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, and about how the human rights of LGBTI people worldwide were addressed during the session.

The page will be regularly updated as the session unfolds

Read our introductory article about the session: With our global LGBTI communities at the 61st UN Human Rights Council

Enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan and the OHCHR country report

During this dialogue, we raised the voices of lesbian, bisexual, and trans women in Afghanistan — who are criminalised under the law, ostracised by family, erased from public life by the Taliban, and excluded from support and protection systems meant to save lives. Despite these situations and intensifying repression, funding for organisations that work to protect lesbian, bisexual, and trans women is being cut.

With our statement, delivered together with ILGA Asia and COC Nederland by Zohra Mousavi, lead of ILGA Asia’s Afghanistan Programme, we urged countries to restore funding to support LGBTI people in Afghanistan and protect resettlement pathways.

Read the statement and watch the video below

Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities

National disability strategies frequently ignore the needs of LGBTI people with disabilities, while LGBTI policies overlook accessibility and disability inclusion.

At the UN Human Rights Council, during the dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we raised our concerns that these gaps are reflected in UN initiatives and measures, and reminded that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities protects all persons with disabilities — without exception.

Read our statement in consultation with ILGA Oceania — co-sponsored by Advocates for Human Rights, Centre for Reproductive Rights, and GIN SSOGIE — and watch the video

Civil society joint statement: International Women’s Day 2026

Honouring International Women’s Day, the Centre for Reproductive Rights took the floor at the UN Human Rights Council on behalf of 43 organisations — including ILGA World — calling for “recognition of women and girls’ full dignity, equality and humanity, not just in words but in policies, in budgets, and implementation.”

“Governments around the world,” we said, “are ignoring, enabling, or perpetrating a concerted and deliberate backlash against women’s rights, those who defend them, and civil society space. These governments redirect legitimate anger about inequalities onto scapegoated marginalised women, migrants, and LGBTI+ people, instead towards accountability for those in power.”

Read the joint statement and watch the video below

Annual debate on the rights of people with disabilities

Lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer women living with disabilities experience heightened risks of homelessness due to poverty, employment discrimination, family rejection, and gender-based violence.

During the 61st UN Human Rights Council, we called for intersectional non-discrimination laws, inclusive shelter policies, protection against gender-based violence, and access to affordable, accessible housing without sacrificing identity, autonomy or self-determination.

Read the ILGA World statement, drafted in consultation with GIN SSOGIE, co-sponsored by Advocates for Human Rights and Women Enabled.