UN Expert Calls for Urgent Action to Protect LGBTIQ+ Lives Amid Rising Violence and Impunity

The report acknowledges ongoing efforts to develop specialized guidance and local capacity for investigating unlawful deaths of LGBTIQ+ individuals.

A UN expert has issued a stark warning that states are failing in their duty to effectively prevent and investigate killings of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex (LGBTIQ+) individuals, and to protect them from crimes motivated by prejudice, discrimination, and hate.

Morris Tidball-Binz, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, emphasized that “States have a duty to respect and protect the right to life of every individual without discrimination. This is not an option but an obligation. The international community must take urgent action to prevent unlawful deaths of LGBTIQ+ persons worldwide.”

In his report presented to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Tidball-Binz highlighted ongoing practices that contribute to prejudice and violence against LGBTIQ+ communities. He cited examples of effective legal and practical investigation frameworks from various regions that can help mitigate these issues, emphasizing the necessity of overcoming biases, curbing discrimination, and eliminating hate crimes that lead to unlawful deaths of LGBTIQ+ individuals.

“Studies show that most cultural and religious traditions worldwide have historically accepted gender diversity. This inherent tolerance has been systematically eroded by states’ discriminatory laws and practices, resulting in violence against LGBTIQ+ individuals, often leading to death with complete impunity,” Tidball-Binz stated.

He underscored that protecting LGBTIQ+ persons from such violence is both a moral obligation and a legal responsibility for governments and societies worldwide.

Tidball-Binz expressed encouragement over the positive initiatives underway to protect LGBTIQ+ individuals from violence based on discrimination, promote accountability, and enhance the capacities of justice system actors. These efforts have been particularly notable in the Global South, as well as through regional mechanisms in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. He stressed the importance of collecting and analyzing disaggregated data on discriminatory violence against LGBTIQ+ persons to inform preventive policies and strategies for effective protection.

The report acknowledges ongoing efforts to develop specialized guidance and local capacity for investigating unlawful deaths of LGBTIQ+ individuals. It recommends adapting the United Nations 2016 Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death to include gender-specific guidelines on the investigation and prevention of killings of LGBTIQ+ persons.

Call to Action:

The report urges member states to implement these recommendations and develop comprehensive strategies to protect the rights and lives of LGBTIQ+ individuals. As the landscape of human rights continues to evolve, it is imperative that governments commit to a framework that ensures safety, equality, and justice for all, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The urgent need for global collaboration and solidarity in combating discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ+ persons has never been more pressing. The international community must work collectively to ensure that the right to life and dignity is upheld for every individual, regardless of their identity.