Kate Sheill, Amnesty International’s Identity-based Discrimination Team Coordinator, blogging from the UN in New York
Over the last hour or so something truly extraordinary happened – approximately 120 countries associated themselves with statements to the UN General Assembly for the first time.
At about 1pm, New York time, Argentina started to announce the list of 66 countries that have signed up to support the joint statement on human rights and sexual orientation and gender identity. The States agreed that “everyone is entitled to the enjoyment of human rights without distinction of any kind” and “the principle of non-discrimination implies that human rights norms apply equally to every human being regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity”.
They expressed concern that “violations of human rights and fundamental freedom based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including rights to privacy, to security, freedoms of thought, of expression, of association and assembly, and hindrance to the full enjoyment of economical, social and cultural rights, including the right to health.”
Then Syria read another statement. We think 58 countries aligned themselves with it in the end, though we need to double check the count. They too sent a powerful affirmation of the universality and indivisibility of human rights and commented, “We strongly deplore all forms of stereotyping, exclusion, stigmatisation, prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and violence directed against peoples, communities and individuals on any ground whatsoever, wherever they occur.”
Excellent..I am not surprised that the Syrians created such a strong statement. Aren’t they the most secular and tolerant country in the Middle East? probably in both the Arab and Islamic world..
How can you say that Syria’s statement was a ‘powerful affirmation’ of anything? They, along with 60 other countries - primarily Muslim - are voting against anti-discrimination for gays. They are openly opposed to gay rights. Why are you white-washing this?
Hi Peter, if you look at Kate’s latest posting, she clarifies why it was important.
To: Peter Stuart
I was commenting on the Syrian sponsored statement which reads: “Then Syria read another statement. We think 58 countries aligned themselves with it in the end, though we need to double check the count. They too sent a powerful affirmation of the universality and indivisibility of human rights and commented, “We strongly deplore all forms of stereotyping, exclusion, stigmatisation, prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and violence directed against peoples, communities and individuals on any ground whatsoever, wherever they occur.”
Nothing wrong with that. There was no white washing, as Syria is well known for its religious and cultural tolerance. Not necessarily so for their vehement opposition to Islamic fundamentalism in particular or any other Sectarian group.
The reason why the 59 countries joined the Syrian rather than the French declaration was that the latter was understood to promote the highly controversial ‘Yogyakarta Principles’.