LGBT rights are human rights and the United Nations finally agrees

rainbowbow
rainbowbow
Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

eTN asked for an avalanche of support when it comes to recognizing LGBT travel and tourism as an accepted and integrated part of the global travel and tourism industry.

eTN asked for an avalanche of support when it comes to recognizing LGBT travel and tourism as an accepted and integrated part of the global travel and tourism industry.

After the horrifying attack on an LGBT bar in Florida on Sunday, the expected avalanche of statements are pouring in, and one decision by the United Nations is about to make history and put the global LGBT struggle for recognition on a different level.

Just yesterday, eTurboNews questioned the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to not immediately react after the deadly terror attack on the LGBT travel and tourism industry in Orlando. eTN questioned leaders:Why UNWTO, WTTC, PATA and other tourism leaders remain silent?
ย 
ย 

Within hours of the article, UNWTO and WTTC reacted. ETOA clarified its position and the big surprise came today, when for the first time in the history of the United Nations, the UN Security Council has condemned violence on the basis of sexual orientation.

The United Nations Security Council issued a statement today condemning this weekendโ€™s attack on a gay bar in Orlando, Florida. In a statement it specifically denounced violence targeting people โ€œas a result of their sexual orientationโ€ for the first time.

The statement was a landmark because the Security Council, the main body in the UN focused on peace and security, has never issued an official document of any kind referencing sexual orientation.

Itโ€™s a category that many countries have fought to keep out of UN documents, arguing that it is not recognized under international human rights agreements. Monday nightโ€™s document was a press statement, not a formal resolution, but it still required unanimous agreement from the committee that includes LGBT-rights opponents like Russia and Egypt.

The statement comes as the UN Human Rights Council opened a session in Geneva where a group of South American countries is expected to introduce a resolution to create the UNโ€™s first ever LGBT rights watchdog.

The following countries are all members of the United Nations and may have to adjust policies towards gays:

Currently same-sex activities are criminal activities. LGBT tourists staying in hotels are not safe when traveling to copuntries like:

Singapore โ€” Up to two years in jail
United Arab Emirates โ€” Various punishments, possibly a death sentence
Nigeria โ€” Death penalty for men
Iran โ€” Death penalty
Saudi Arabia โ€” Banishment, whipping, and death by public stoning

The UN Statement reads:
The following Security Council statement was issued today by Council President Franรงois Delattre (France):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida, on 12 June 2016, targeting persons as a result of their sexual orientation, during which 49 people were killed and 53 injured. They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of the United States. They wished a full recovery to those injured.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.



About the author

Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1977).
He founded eTurboNews in 1999 as the first online newsletter for the global travel tourism industry.

Share to...