Venue: Room XXII, Palais des Nations

Date: 23 June 2015, 12:00-13:30 

The UN Human Rights Council has taken laudible steps since 2011 to establish a stronger normative framework safeguarding against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Yet, the High Commissioner for Human Rights' recent report expresses concern that systematic violations against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity persist and is getting worse. In particular, LGBTI human rights defenders and civil society organizations continue to face a wide range of threats, harassment and intimidation to undermine their legitimate activities. 

This event will provide an important opportunity to discuss effective strategies to create and sustain an enabling environment for LGBTI civil society groups. The panel will also provide a civil society view on the implementation of recommendations identified by OHCHR in its report as well as on how the Human Rights Council needs to build on its initiatives taken so far. 

Panelists:

• Kenita Placide - CariFlags, St Lucia
• Joshua Sehoole - Iranti-Org, South Africa
• Natasha Jimenez - Mulabi, Costa Rica
• Zhan Chiam - ILGA

Moderator:

Pooja Patel - ISHR

Photo: Thomas Bower