The United Nations has released a new strong message against homophobia, and in solidarity with the LGBT community.

The UN Human Rights Office released the video message to mark 2013’s International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).

The message carried by the video, posted today, which features the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, and High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, addresses LGBT people, saying “you are not alone”.

The video, which is titled “the riddle”, goes on to say: “LGBT rights are human rights. Together we will build a world that is free and equal.”

It sets out that there are currently 76 countries which criminalise consensual same-sex relationships, and condemns the fact that there are frequently violent attacks and discrimination across the world.

IDAHOT is celebrated in more than 100 countries. It was created in 2004 to raise awareness of current prejudice against LGBT people. It is marked each year on 17 May, the date in 1990 on which the World Health Organisation declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder.

Last month, on attending the International Conference on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Oslo, Ban Ki-moon, gave an impassioned speech, voicing his support for LGBT rights, and condemning governments around the world which refuse to tackle discrimination against LGBT people.

He said: “LGBT rights is one of the great, neglected human rights challenges of our time”.