Report on sexual orientation and gender identity at the 21st session of the Human Rights Council : 10 - 28 September 2012

Human rights issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) were consistently raised during the 21st session of the Human Rights Council. The session was opened by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who expressed his support for Council engagement with SOGI issues. The human rights of LGBT people in Russia was raised as an issue of concern under item 4 of the Council's agenda. States also debated SOGI issues in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation, who had focused her thematic report on stigma (of LGBTI people) as obstacle to the realisation of rights. A major point of debate during the session was the Russian initiative on "traditional values". Unfortunately a third resolution on the topic was adopted, despite vigorous lobbying by NGOs. ARC organised two side events at the session, on the High Commissioner's report on SOGI, and on traditional values, respectively, which provided an opportunity for human rights defenders from diverse regions to share their perspectives.