The United States joins the European Union in expressing its solidarity with LGBTI people around the world, and in speaking out against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
We too would like to take this opportunity to commend the action taken by the UN Human Rights Council on June 30 to appoint an Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We support its mandate to assess the implementation of existing international human rights instruments with regard to ways to overcome violence and discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity; to raise awareness of violence and discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity; and to identify and address the root causes of violence and discrimination against these individuals. This positive step by the UN Human Rights Council demonstrates there is still much to be done by the international community, including the OSCE, to ensure the rights and dignity of all people are upheld.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer to the Permanent Council, Vienna
