“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”
– Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
If your university or organization is preparing an event to mark Human Rights Day this December 10th, the anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, consider adding education about the recently-adopted Yogyakarta Principles to the agenda.
The Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity were adopted by a group of 29 distinguished experts in international law at a meeting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, earlier this year. Participants in developing and adopting the Principles came from 25 countries and a range of backgrounds and included: former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson; Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn (co-chair of the meeting) (Thailand); Sonia Onufer Corrêa (co-chair of the meeting)(Brazil); UN Special Rapporteurs past and present, including Asma Jahangir (Pakistan) and Philip Alston (Australia); Judges Sanji Mmasenono Monageng (Botswana) and Edwin Cameron (South Africa); UN Human Rights Committee member Michael O’Flaherty (Ireland), and many others.
The Yogyakarta Principles were developed in response to patterns of abuse targeting people because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Concerns addressed include extrajudicial executions, violence and torture, access to justice, privacy, non-discrimination, rights to freedom of expression and assembly, employment, health, education, immigration and refugee issues, public participation, and a range of other rights. As noted in the backgrounder prepared by the experts:
Key human rights mechanisms of the United Nations have affirmed States’ obligation to ensure effective protection of all persons from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, the international response has been fragmented and inconsistent, creating the need for a consistent understanding of the comprehensive regime of international human rights law and its application to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Yogyakarta Principles do this.
Each Principle is accompanied by detailed recommendations for states, the media, organizations, and others. In its Introduction, the document builds in room for the further development of international law in this area, stating:”The experts agree that the Yogyakarta Principles reflect the existing state of international human rights law in relation to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. They also recognise that States may incur additional obligations as human rights law continues to evolve.”
– Stephanie Farrior
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