Statement by the UN LGBTI Core Group
Delivered by H.E. MS. CAMILLA WALTERSSON GRÖNVALL, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES OF SWEDEN
February 10, 2025
Chairperson,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the LGBTI Core Group, an informal cross-regional group established in 2008.[1]
Our overarching goal is to work within the United Nations framework to ensure universal respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individuals without distinction, regardless of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. Our particular focus is on protecting LGBTI persons from violence and discrimination.
Chairperson,
The group has consistently advocated, including in the last four sessions of the Commission, for recognizing and eliminating the discrimination and all forms of violence faced by LGBTI persons and the vulnerable situations they may be placed in. Without access to basic social services, such as education, health, and social protection, their situation becomes even more precarious, just because of who they are and who they love. This is particularly evident for LGBTI persons who suffer multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, for example on the grounds of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, or other factors.
We are committed to breaking the silence surrounding the suffering faced by LGBTI persons and to drawing attention to the harsh realities they often face because of systemic and discriminatory barriers and societal biases that create and perpetuate deep inequalities and exclusion. These challenges can lead to severe mental health consequences, including chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation, all of which undermine their overall well-being and ability to thrive in society.
This year’s priority theme “Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion” is of particular importance to the LGBTI community. Inclusive societies enable all persons to enjoy protection from violence and discrimination. Too often, deeply rooted discrimination prevents LGBTI persons from having equal access to the labour market, to social protection systems, to healthcare or to adequate mental health support, undermining their possibilities to achieve the fulfillment of all the internationally recognized human rights, including the right to an adequate standard of living. In order to be able to foster social cohesion, and unlock the full potential of our societies, these barriers need to be removed
We welcome the Secretary General’s explicit mention in his report this year to the discrimination LGBTI persons face as a particular threat to social cohesion. Recognizing their marginalization as a barrier to socio-economic inclusion is a first step towards implementing measures that will fully address those challenges. Another important step is the collection of timely and disaggregated data, with necessary safeguards in place.
As mentioned in the Secretary General’s report, “A system that is fit for the present and the future must be just, democratic, equitable, representative, inclusive and financially stable.” Such a system must give due consideration to all persons, including LGBTI persons, and ensure that civil society space is open and inclusive. As we move towards the Second World Summit on Social Development, we must ensure that all voices are heard and that we set ourselves up for a multilateral system in which discrimination on any basis has no place.
Chairperson,
To conclude, we would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate that we’re not making radical demands – discrimination and violence against any person should never be tolerated, and that every individual has rights that should be protected. Meaningful inclusion has a broad, positive impact across all of society. We call for a strengthened commitment to the universality and interdependence of all human rights and the pledge to leave no one behind, including to fully protect the rights of all LGBTI persons.
Thank you .
[1] The group is co-chaired by Chile and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and includes Albania, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Timor Leste, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay, the European Union, as well as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the non-governmental organizations Human Rights Watch and Outright International.