GINEVA – The UN Human Rights Council voted Monday to renew the mandate of an LGBTQ rights expert, a measure welcome by defenders in the middle of the absence of the United States, a former key supporter who is now going back to such protections.
Western diplomats had previously expressed concerns about the renewal of the mandate of South African scholar Graeme Reid, who helps boost protections when documenting abuses and through dialogue with countries.
The motion for a three -year renewal was approved with 29 votes in favor, 15 against and three abstentions. The supporters included Chile, Germany, Kenya and South Africa, while several African and Qatar nations opposed.
“The renewal of this mandate is a spark of hope at a time when reactionary powers worldwide are trying to dismantle the progress that our communities fought so hard to achieve,” said Julia Ehrt, executive director of the Ilga World campaign group.
The United States, which has disconnected from the Council under President Donald Trump, citing an alleged anti -Semitic bias, was previously a mandate defender under the Biden administration.
Since he assumed the position in January, Trump has signed executive orders to stop transgender rights and dismantle the practices of diversity, equity and inclusion in the government and the private sector.
His administration says that such steps restore equity, but civil rights and LGBTQ defenders say they make marginalized groups more vulnerable.
In negotiation negotiation, Pakistan expressed opposition to the mandate on behalf of the Muslim OIC group, qualifying it as a tool to advocate “controversial views.”
