Leveraging Regional Human Rights Mechanisms Against Universal Human Rights

Did you know that the Organization for Islamic Cooperation's human rights commission, the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) recently published a study on sexual orientation and gender identity? In making its case that #LGBTQ people do not merit basic human rights protections, including equality or nondiscrimination, the IPHRC: affirms Lou Sheldon's now-defunct anti-Muslim Traditional Values Coalition and the dubious practice of conversion therapy; appears to endorse discredited anti-gay psychologist Paul Cameron; presents a monolithic view of #Islam; and urges non-cooperation with the #UnitedNations Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. In the process, the IPHRC upends the intended function of regional human rights mechanisms, and confirms that its interest lies in dismantling rather than promoting and protecting international #HumanRights norms. Read more about this effort in my latest article, Leveraging Regional Human Rights Mechanisms Against Universal Human Rights: The OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission Study on Sexual Orientation, William & Mary Law Review Online, Vol. 60(1) 2018.