Human Rights Council

Forty-first session

24 June–12 July 2019

Agenda item 3

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 12 July 2019

41 / 18. Mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

The Human Rights Council,

Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, in which the Assembly stated that the Human Rights Council should be responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner,

Recalling also Human Rights Council resolutions 17/19 of 17 June 2011, 27/32 of 26 September 2014 and 32/2 of 30 June 2016,

Recalling further Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 5/2 of 18 June 2007,

Recalling that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action affirms that all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated, that the international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis, and that while the significance of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind, it is the duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms,

1.Welcomes the work undertaken by the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the implementation of the mandate, the comprehensive, transparent and inclusive consultations conducted with relevant stakeholders, the thematic reports and the undertaking of country visits to different regions;

2.Decides to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity for a period of three years to enable the mandate holder to continue to work in accordance with the mandate established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 32/2;

3.Request s the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to provide the Independent Expert with all the human, technical and financial resources necessary for the continuation of the effective fulfilment of the mandate;

4.Calls upon all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Independent Expert by supplying all necessary information requested by the mandate holder, and responding favourably to the requests of the Independent Expert to visit their countries to fulfil the mandate more effectively;

5.Requests the Independent Expert to continue to report annually on the implementation of the mandate to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly in accordance with their respective programmes of work.

40th meeting 12 July 2019

[Adopted by a recorded vote of 27 to 12, with 7 abstentions. The voting was as follows:

In favour:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cuba, Czechia, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay

Against:

Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia

Abstaining:

Angola, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hungary, India, Senegal, Togo]