On 17 June 2011, the Human Rights Council (the Council) ended its 17th session with the adoption of a series of important decisions. The most remarkable achievement of the session was the adoption of the first-ever resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity. The Council has requested the High Commissioner for Human Rights to commission a study on violence and discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which will be discussed at a dedicated meeting of the Council in March 2012.

On 17 June 2011, the Human Rights Council (the Council) ended its 17th session with the adoption of a series of important decisions. The most remarkable achievement of the session was the adoption of the first-ever resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity. The Council has requested the High Commissioner for Human Rights to commission a study on violence and discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which will be discussed at a dedicated meeting of the Council in March 2012. In a joint press release, a large group of NGOs have welcomed this important development. 

The 17th session saw important discussions on the situations in Libya, Cote d'Ivoire and Syria, as well as resolutions on Libya, Cote d'Ivoire, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Somalia, and Yemen. Based on a proposal by Switzerland, the Council also decided to hold a panel discussion in September on the protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protest, an opportunity to debate the situations so far neglected, such as Bahrain. 

Renewals of important special procedures mandates, including on the independence of judges and lawyers, extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and migrants, along with the creation of a new Working Group on business and human rights were other highlights.

See a video about the key outcomes of the session. You can also read a joint NGO statement, presented at the end of the session.