UN Supports Homosexuals & Transgender Rights

The United Nations passed a resolution supporting the rights of gays, lesbians, and transgender. This historical decision was warmly received from the U.S. and Europe as well as some Latin American countries. In contrast, Russia and some African and Muslim countries criticized the passage of the UN's decision.

According to the Associated Press, United Nations decisions on the support of the rights of homosexuals and transgender people took place in a session of the Council for Human Rights (HAM) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday. The resolution was passed by voting members of the council, namely 23 support, 19 refused, three abstained, and two others did not use the voting rights.

Those who support the U.S., EU, Brazil and other Latin American countries. Opponents such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Pakistan. China, Burkina Faso and Zambia select abstained. Kyrgyzstan did not join the voting and Libya have been suspended from membership of the Human Rights Council due to domestic crises.

Under the declaration, the UN Human Rights Council stated that the rights of homosexuals and transgender persons is part of human rights. The declaration also expressed "deep concern" over the abuses based on sexual orientation.

The Human Rights Council also mandated the preparation of a global report on discrimination against homosexuals, this includes researching regulations and discriminatory actions and violence to homosexuals and transgender people in foreign countries.

The U.S. welcomed the decision of the UN Human Rights Council. "This represents a historical moment to highlight human rights abuses and violence experienced by lesbian, gay, and transgender people around the world based on the character and orientation of their love," said U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Instead, Pakistan and the opponents of the Human Rights Council to assess the decision is already excessive, let alone to investigate domestic regulations to find out whether there are discriminatory actions of homosexuals and transgender persons.

"We are really concerned over attempts to implement ideas that have no legal basis in the UN," said Pakistani Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Zamir Akram, who speaks for the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Meanwhile, diplomats from Mauritius to assess the resolution was an attempt to replace the natural rights that human rights are not natural.