UN treaty bodies: a guide to LGBTI and SOGIESC references in general comments and recommendations

To better serve LGBTI activists and organisations worldwide - as well as international human rights lawyers, researchers, officials and everyone interested in LGBTI human rights standards at the UN -

ILGA World has launched a new publication supporting them to engage with international human rights mechanisms: a report detailing all general comments and general recommendations containing language on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people, and sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) issued by United Nations treaty bodies.

Download the report General comments (recommendations) by United Nations treaty bodies: references to LGBTI and SOGIESC in English - en espa?ol?

International human rights are recognised globally through nine main human rights international treaties (covenants or conventions) - ?for example, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) or the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Under each of these treaties, committees of experts (treaty bodies) have been established to monitor how state parties implement their obligations under the treaties.

Despite the absence of explicit LGBTI / SOGIESC language in the treaties, general comments and recommendations issued by treaty bodies have clearly established the understanding of human rights standards as applied to LGBTI people and SOGIESC issues.

A general comment (general recommendation) is a treaty body’s official document with the interpretation of certain articles of international conventions, themes or treaty bodies’ working methods. General comments often seek to clarify the duties of State parties concerning specific human rights or communities protected.

Since 2000, United Nations treaty bodies have adopted 45 general comments and general recommendations addressing different human rights issues faced by LGBTI persons and clarifying State obligations in this regard.

Until now, nearly all treaty bodies—except for the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment—have developed their interpretations of LGBTI / SOGIESC human rights through general recommendations and general comments.

Follow this link to continue reading: What do general comments and recommendations in UN treaty bodies say about the human rights of LGBTI people and SOGIESC issues?