Principles of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Human Rights
The Yogyakarta Principles on the ‚Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity‘ were released this month by a group of 29 international human rights experts. Groundbreaking international legal principles on sexual orientation, gender identity, and international law chart a way forward for both the United Nations and governments to ensure the universal reach of human rights protections, putting new pressure on the national governments to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people worldwide. The principles affirm binding legal standards with which all states must comply and they call for action from the UN human rights system, national human rights institutions, non-governmental organisations, and others.
The Yogyakarta Principles address a broad range of human rights standards and were developed in response to well-documented patterns of abuse directed toward persons because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Each principle is accompanied by detailed recommendations on how to end discrimination and abuse. The principles also call for action from the UN’s human rights system, national human rights institutions, the media, non-governmental organisations, and others.
