TWO MORE LGBT GROUPS GAIN ENTRY AT THE UN ECOSOC

Details: Created: 02 September 2008

Despite the limited openness of governments in addressing LGBT concerns, progress has been made last July as the United Nations Economic and Social Council decided to grant NGO consultative status to two LGBT groups, COC Netherlands and State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transexuals and Bisexuals of Spain (FELGTB). With such accreditation, the two groups are given the opportunity to advise the UN General Assembly and participate in UN meetings.

“For many years, LGBTI NGOs have been struggling to obtain consultative status at the United Nations so that the voice of he LGBTI people around the world can be more visible, and so our efforts to advance human rights are enhanced by involvement throughout the United Nations,” Paula Ettelbrick, executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said.

The NGO consultative status of COC Netherlands and FELGTB was initially blocked by countries such as Burundi, China, Egypt, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia and Sudan. With the accelerated campaigns made by LGBTs and the broader social movements, a second round of voting happened, overturned the previous results.

“This vote ensures that two more voices will be raised to defend basic human rights at the United Nations.” Borris Dittrich, LGBT programme director of Human Rights Watch asserted.

Out of the more than 3,000 NGOs accredited by UN ECOSOC, only few serve LGBT communities. LGBT organisations with NGO consultative status include the Danish National Association for Gays and Lesbian, the European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA-Europe), the German Lesbian and Gay Foundation, the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Quebec, and the Swiss Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights.

Sources:
Geminder, Emily. (29 July 2008). “Queer issues take a global stage at the United Nations.” URL: _http://www.mediaglobal.org/article/2008-07-29/queer-issues-take-a-global-stage-at-the-united-nations_

Human Rights Watch. (23 July 2008). “United Nations: Defeat for Discrimination, Victory for Inclusion.” URL: _http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/23/global19435.htm_

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