On December 10, on the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights, almost 200 Delegates and representatives of civil society and the UN system participated in a Panel Discussion on “Opposing grave human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity”, cosponsored by Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, France, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, in collaboration with a group of international NGOs from all regions.

The Panel was moderated by Mr. Hans Ytterberg, Director-General of the Swedish Ministry of Integration and Gender Equality, and the participation of Dr. Vivek Divan (India), Ms. Indyra Mendoza (Honduras), Mr. Victor Mukasa (Uganda), Rev. SAPYA Karma (Zimbabwe) and Ms. Sass Rogando Sasot (Philippines). A brief biographical note is included..

The panelists shared their experiences as activists and human rights defenders in diverse countries and regions, and called for the full respect of human rights and dignity of all persons, without discrimination or persecution on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In the open debate, Delegations expressed their support as well against grave violations of human rights and discrimination against LGBT persons, and agreed in condemning the discriminatory criminalization of behaviors or relationships between adults, in some cases even with death penalty, as well as other grave violations that target members of the LGBT community, including torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.

The video record of the event can be accessed in the United Nations site at: