HRC passes historic Gay rights resolution

The UN Human Rights Council voted 23-19 in favor of a historic resolution that supports equal rights for everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.  This despite strong opposition from Arab and African states.

The resolution states that â??no one should be subject to discrimination or violence due to sexual orientation or gender identity.â? It also â??affirms that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms â?¦ with distinction of any kind.â?

The U.S. envoy hailed the resolutionâ??s passage.  “Today we make history in the fight for basic fairness and equality,” U.S. envoy Eileen Donahoe said. “Today we’ve taken an important step forward in our recognition that human rights are indeed universal. We recognize that violence against a person because of who they are is wrong.”

Three member nations abstained during the vote.  This followed an explosive debate over the resolution proposed by South Africa.

“The right to choose who we love and to share life with those we love is sacred. Further, we send the unequivocal message that each human being deserves equal protection from violence and discrimination,” Donahoe said.

States supporting the resolution: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Hungary, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Thailand, UK, USA, Uruguay.

States against the resolution: Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Moldova, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Uganda.

Abstentions: Burkina Faso, China, Zambia

Absent: Kyrgyzstan, Libya (suspended)

GENEVA, Switzerland â??

Source Press Release