UN gets behind IDAHO

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has released a powerful new video ahead of the International Day against Homophobia on May 17.

The two-minute video features UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay talking about the human cost of homophobia.

It highlights the fact that in many parts of the world, people are arrested, attacked, tortured and killed, just for being in a loving relationship.

“We cannot let these abuses stand,” Pillay says, calling on states to repeal discriminatory laws and ban discriminatory practices.

“Punish violence and hatred, not love.”

The release of the video follows a succession of breakthroughs at the UN over the past 12 months concerning the rights of LGBT persons.

These include adoption of the first UN resolution on the issue (June, 2011), the release of first official UN report (December, 2011) and the organisation of the United Nations’ first formal debate on the issue at the Human Rights Council (March, 2012).

“This is an historic moment,” Pillay says.

“More and more states recognise the need for action and are speaking up – including here at the United Nations.”