With Report of the Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Statement by the UN LGBTI Core Group
Chairperson,
I have the honor to participate in this interactive dialogue on behalf of the Member States of the LGBTI Core Group. The LGBTI Core Group is an informal group composed of 29 Members States from different regions established in 2008.
Mr. Independent Expert,
We are delighted to have you here today to present your report on how discriminatory laws and sociocultural norms continue to marginalize and exclude lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex persons on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics from education, health care, housing, employment and occupation, and other sectors. The members of this Core Group welcome this report and take your recommendations very seriously. We urge all member states to do the same because we firmly believe that standing against violence and discrimination is not and should never be a matter of controversy. It is just right and humane.
We were pleased to read in your report that one of your guiding principles was the principle of dialogue and that you have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders throughout the implementation of your mandate. Dialogue is the best path towards greater understanding, and we support your approach.
We also agree with you in the fact that organized religion and religious leaders can have a powerful role in promoting social inclusion for all, including LGBTI people. Do you have any recommendation on how to better engage with them in our work within the UN?
We also share the concern expressed in your report about the intersectional nature of discrimination and exclusion. How can a multidimensional analysis be used to address the root causes of this intersectionality?
I thank you.