IGLHRC joins UN Council

IGLHRC joins UN Council

The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has been granted United Nations accreditation in a vote by the UN Economic and Social Council.

The IGLHRC had been blocked in its bid in June when the UN Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations, which is dominated by African and Islamic nations, voted against it.

However the United States, through its permanent representative to the United Nations, Susan Rice, pushed for a vote by the Economic and Social Council which trumped the Non-Governmental Organisations’ committee vote.

Twenty three nations, including Australia, voted for IGLHRC’s inclusion, while only 13 voted against it. Thirteen abstained, while five were absent.

US President Barack Obama issued a statement in praise of the decision.

“I welcome this important step forward for human rights, as the  International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission (ILGHRC) will take its rightful seat at the table of the United Nations,” wrote the President.

“The UN was founded on the premise that only through mutual respect, diversity, and dialogue can the international community effectively pursue justice and equality.

“Today, with the more full inclusion of the International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission, the United Nations is closer to the ideals on which it was founded, and to values of inclusion and equality to which the United States is deeply committed.”

Responding to the vote, IGLHRC wxecutive director Cary Alan Johnson said, “Today’s decision is an affirmation that the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have a place at the United Nations as part of a vital civil society community.

“The clear message here is that these voices should not be silenced and that human rights cannot be denied on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The IGLHRC is only the 10th GLBTI organisation to win UN accreditation.

Accreditation gives non-government groups the ability to attend United Nations meetings, collaborate with government and UN agencies, and submit statements and reports to UN inquiries.

You May Also Like

Comments are closed.