UN reverses stance on killing of gays
UN reverses stance on killing of gays
The United States has succeeded in getting the United Nations to restore a reference to killings due to sexual orientation that had been deleted from a resolution condemning unjustified executions.
Western delegations were disappointed last month when the UN General Assembly’s human rights committee approved an Arab and African proposal to cut the reference to killings due to sexual orientation from a resolution on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions.
The committee’s move outraged human rights activists and groups that lobby for gay rights.
Philippe Bolopion of Human Rights Watch (HRW) said at the time that it was a “step backwards” and “extremely disappointing”.
The 192-nation General Assembly approved a US amendment to the resolution that restored the reference to sexual orientation with 93 votes in favour, 55 against and 27 abstentions.
The amended resolution was then adopted with 122 yes votes, none against, and 59 abstentions.