A UN human rights expert provided a report [official report] to an international conference in Thailand on Wednesday regarding discrimination of the lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community. In that report, the expert from the UN Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) [official website] provided five key steps to end discrimination and violence against the global LGBTI community during the world conference of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. The expert, Vitit Muntarbhorn, declared five linchpins: decriminalization, depathologization, status recognition, gender-diverse cultural inclusion and empathization. The expert said [UN press release] it was necessary to lift any criminal laws which could affect the LGBTI community and to ensure that such individuals are no longer seen as suffering from a disorder. He also stated the importance of recognizing each individual’s gender identity, ensuring various cultures and religions include the community, and empathizing with those of a different sexual or gender association. Muntarbhorn stated the necessity of taking these steps at a global level if violence and discrimination can be ended by the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goal.

The rights of LGBTI persons remains a controversial topic throughout the world. A group of UN human rights experts expressed concern [JURIST report] last week over countries attempting to retroactively block a mandate of an independent expert to investigate sexual orientation and gender identity-based rights abuses. The Human Rights Council voted in July in favor of appointing [JURIST report] an independent expert to report on and investigate worldwide violence and discrimination against the LGBTI community. The resolution [text] was approved by the member states of the Human Rights Council in June. Last Month France removed a sterilization requirement [JURIST report] for transgender individuals. Not all movements towards LGBTI rights are being met happily, as shown in September when thousands marched [JURIST report] in Mexico against same-sex marriage. In August the Belize Supreme Court struck down [JURIST report] an anti-gay law.