The 32nd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 June – 1 July at the United Nations Palais des Nations.
This year, following on from a 2014 HRC resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, the Council will once again consider an initiative to address discrimination and violence on these grounds. Among other things, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has noted that “there is as yet no dedicated human rights mechanism at the international level that has a systematic and comprehensive approach to the human rights situation of LGBT and intersex persons”.
To draw attention to the particular forms of violence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) refugees and asylum seekers in places of immigration detention, this year the International Detention Coalition, in partnership with the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA), the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), and the Queer Detainee Empowerment Project (QDEP) has invited a panel of leading LGBTI and detention experts to host a side event on “Violence Against LGBTQ Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Detention”.
The objectives of this side event are to draw attention to the discrimination and abuse faced by LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers in places of immigration detention; to discuss the legal obligation of States to protect the rights to liberty, safety and dignity of LGBTQ individuals; to share and discuss the latest research findings regarding the challenges and opportunities of providing community-based protection for LGBT refugees and asylum seekers; and to explore alternative strategies and practices for States to prioritize the community-based protection of LGBTQ individuals.
The side event will take place on Tuesday, 14 June, from 17:00 – 18:00 at the Palais des Nations, in Room XXIV, and will feature participants from the the IDC, ILGA, APT, QDEP and the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC). The event is open to all participants to this year’s 32nd Session of the Human Rights Council.
Download the event flyer and background note here.
For more information, contact IDC Advocacy Coordinator, Ben Lewis ([email protected]).
Posted Here.
Reblogged this on Fairy JerBear's Queer/Trans Musings From The City Different – Santa Fe, NM and commented:
As an advocate for both refugees and LGBTQIA communities, I think at his panel is long overdue and a step in the right direction.