Combatting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity - Speeches and statements

• UN Human Rights Chief calls for end to violence and killings of LGBTI people, 26 September 2018

• OHCHR spokesperson expresses concern at persecution, arbitrary arrest, detention and ill-treatment of men perceived to be gay in Indonesia, 26 May 2017
• Embrace diversity and protect trans and gender diverse children and adolescents, urge UN and regional human rights experts, 16 May 2017
• End abuse and detention of gay men in Chechnya, UN human rights experts tell Russia, 13 April 2017

• LGBTI people face “vortex of violence and discrimination,” says UN expert in debut address, 22 November 2016
• UN and regional human rights mechanisms call for an end to violence and harmful medical practices on intersex children and adults, 24 October 2016
• Targeted and tortured: UN experts urge greater protection for LGBTI people in detention, 23 June 2016
• Deputy High Commissioner opening remarks at International Ministerial Meeting on Education Sector Response to Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression, 17 May 2016
• UN and regional human rights mechanisms call for review of medical classifications to end pathologization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans adults and children, 12 May 2016
  
• OHCHR South America Regional Office and UN Women in Brazil condemn brutal murder of Luana Reis, 4 May 2016>
• UN High Commissioner message to the International Dialogue on the Intersections of Culture/Tradition with Human Rights Related to Gender and Sexuality in the Middle East and North Africa, 20 February 2016
• OHCHR spokesperson expresses concern at failure to prosecute incitement to violence against gay and lesbian persons in Malawi, 22 January 2016

• UN in Malawi issues statement on recent arrests and on respecting the rights of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation, 21 December 2015
• Keynote address by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights at a panel on protection and promotion of the human rights of LGBTI persons, 20 November 2015
• UN Human Rights Office for South America condemns murders of transgender persons in Argentina [in Spanish], 21 October 2015
• UN Human Rights Office for South-East Asia concerned by criminalization of transgender women in Malaysia, 9 October 2015
• UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks at High Level LGBT Core Group Event "Leaving No-One Behind: Equality & Inclusion in the Post-2015 Development Agenda", 29 September 2015
• Twelve UN agencies issue unprecedented joint statement on rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & intersex people, 29 September 2015
• Opening remarks by Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at the Expert meeting on ending human rights violations against intersex persons, 16 September 2015
• OHCHR spokesperson expresses concern at recent attacks, discriminatory treatment and incitement to violence against LGBT people in Turkey, 14 July 2015
• UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks at a Free & Equal campaign event upon receiving the Harvey Milk Medal, 26 June 2015
• OHCHR Central America Regional Office condemns murder of transgender activist, 1 June 2015
• UN and regional human rights mechanisms call for recognition and protection of the rights of young LGBT and intersex people, 13 May 2015
• OHCHR spokesperson on murder of men accused of homosexual acts by ISIL in Iraq, 20 January 2015

• Kyrgyzstan: “Don’t condemn LGBT people to silence” – UN rights experts urge Parliament to withdraw anti-gay bill, 26 November 2014
• The Gambia: High Commissioner Zeid criticizes harsh legal amendment, violence and arrests targeting gay men and lesbian women, 20 November 2014
• Botswana: UN and African human rights experts hail key ruling recognising an LGBT organisation, 18 November 2014
• OHCHR spokesperson welcomes Malaysia court judgment striking down law criminalizing transgender women, 14 November 2014
• OHCHR spokesperson expresses disappointment at Singapore Supreme Court ruling on criminalization of consensual same-sex relations, 31 October 2014
• Secretary-General statement to LGBT Core Group Ministerial Event at the General Assembly, 25 September 2014
• Launch of landmark report on the rights of LGBT people in Cambodia, 7 August 2014
• Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the annulment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda, 1 August 2014
• High Commissioner's opening remarks at the side event "Equality in Sports" during the 26th session of the Human Rights Council, 16 June 2014
• High Commissioner's statement on the occasion of the presentation of the ILGA “LGBTI Friend of the Year” award and 2014 State-Sponsored Homophobia report, Geneva, 30 May 2014
• Joint Statement by UN and regional human rights experts for International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO-T), 15 May 2014
• Anti-Homosexuality law in Uganda violates human rights and endangers LGBT people – Pillay, 24 February 2014
• Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Nigeria Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 15 January 2014
• UN human rights chief denounces new anti-homosexuality law in Nigeria, 14 January 2014

• OHCHR spokesperson on Anti Homosexuality Bill in Uganda, 27 December 2013
• Pillay dismayed at re-imposition of criminal sanctions for same-sex relationships in India, 12 December 2013
• Hip Hop Duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis named United Nations Free & Equal Campaign Equality Champions, New York, 26 November 2013
• Remarks by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay at Ministerial-level Meeting on Ending Violence and Discrimination against LGBT Individuals, New York, 26 September 2013
• UN Human Rights Office Launches Unprecedented Global Campaign for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality, Cape Town, 26 July 2013
• Remarks by Marcia V. J. Kran, Director, OHCHR Research and Right to Development Division, Ceremony to Commemorate the Execution by Drowning of Bartholomé Tecia, Geneva, 10 June 2013
• High Commissioner's keynote address to the Global Forum for the International Day against Homophobia, The Hague, 17 May 2013
• UN Secretary-General's message to the Global Forum for the International Day against Homophobia, The Hague, 16 May 2013
• Speech by Assistant Secretary-General Ivan Simonovic to the Oslo Conference on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, 15 April 2013
• Secretary-General statement to the Oslo Conference on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, 15 April 2013

• Press conference on homophobia, with South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka and OHCHR's Charles Radcliffe, UNHQ, 11 December 2012 (English | French)
• Transcript of Video message by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to special event at UNHQ on "Leadership in the Fight against Homophobia", 11 December 2012
• Speech by Ban Ki-moon: "Speech by UN Secretary-General ban Ki-moon: "Leadership in the Fight against Homophobia", UNHQ, New York, 11 December 2012
• Media briefing on the human rights situation of LGBT persons in Cameroon, 16 November 2012
• OHCHR spokesperson on passage of new law on homosexuality in Ukraine, 5 October 2012
• Pillay urges Serbia to allow LGBT parade, confront prejudice against minorities, 4 October 2012
• Message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at Human Rights watch Film Festival screening, 28 June 2012
• OHCHR spokesperson on anti-discrimination law in Moldova, 11 May 2012
• OHCHR spokesperson on homophobic murder in Chile, 30 March 2012
• Message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the Human Rights Council, 7 March 2012
• Speech by the High Commissioner at the Human Rights Council, Geneva, 7 March 2012
• Speech by Assistant Secretary-General Ivan Simonovic, CSW side-event, New York, 28 February 2012
• Message of the High Commissioner on the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia 2012: Punish Violence and Hatred, not Love

• Speech by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic, GA side-event, New York, 8 December 2011
• Message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, GA side-event, 8 December 2011
• Pillay welcomes Australian decision on identity for transgender and intersex people, 16 September 2011
• Remarks of High Commissioner Navi Pillay at the Human Rights Council, New York, 3 March 2011
• Speech by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Human Rights Council, Geneva, 25 January 2011

• Speech by Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic at GA side-event, New York, 10 December 2010
• Speech by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at GA side-event, New York, 10 December 2010
• Written statement by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at Human Rights Council side-event, Geneva, 17 September 2010
• Speech by High Commissioner Navi Pillay at Human Rights Council side-event, Geneva, 17 September 2010