UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay: We Cannot Let Abuses Against LGBT People Stand — VIDEO

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who in December directed world governments today to end abuse based on sexual orientation and curtail criminalization of homosexuality, talks about the human cost of homophobia and transphobia in a powerful new video released this week.

Says Pillay:

All over the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of all ages face harassment and discrimination — at work, at home, at school and in many other everyday situations.

In many countries, national laws are skewed against them. In some 76 States, having a partner of the same sex is a criminal offense. People are being arrested, singled out for physical attack, being tortured, even killed – just for being in a loving relationship.

When I raise these issues, some complain that I’m pushing for “new rights” or “special rights” for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. But there is nothing new or special about the right to life and security of person, the right to freedom from discrimination. These and other rights are universal … enshrined in international law but denied to many of our fellow human beings simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

We cannot let these abuses stand. We know what needs to be done. States must repeal discriminatory laws and ban discriminatory practices: punish violence and hatred … not love.

And we should all challenge homophobic attitudes. The best antidote is education – for children and adults alike. Reach out. Talk. Learn. And help make our world safer and better for everyone.

This is an historic moment: more and more States recognize the need for action and are speaking up – including here at the United Nations. With your help and the support of millions of people who believe in universal human rights, we will secure equal rights for every last one of us.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Tells Countries to End Gay Executions, Criminalization of Homosexuality

The U.N.’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, directed world governments today to end abuse based on sexual orientation and curtail criminalization of homosexuality, the AP reports:

Navi Pillay’s appeal came in a report released Thursday to the 47-nation U.N. Human Rights Council, which in June passed the global body’s first resolution condemning anti-gay discrimination. That vote was hailed as historic by the United States, European countries and others, but decried by some African and Muslim nations...

...The report criticizes the continued existence of death penalty punishment for same-sex relations in at least five countries — Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen — as well as legislation explicitly criminalizing gays in 76 countries.

Said Pillay: “On the basis of the information presented (in this report), a pattern of human rights violations emerges that demands a response...Governments and inter-governmental bodies have often overlooked violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

Pillay's report comes a week after President Obama's memorandum and Hillary Clinton's UN speech directing countries abroad to fight discrimination against LGBT people.