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Toespraak bij VN bijeenkomst over mensenrechten en seksuele geaardheid

18-12-2008 | Verenigde Naties, New York | Toespraak

Verhagen - Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here. I would like to thank the French Minister of
State for Human Rights, Ms Rama Yade, for co-hosting this event with us
and for her inspiring words.

The statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity
that was delivered in the General Assembly today, on behalf of 66 UN
member states, is a breakthrough in our quest for equal rights for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people throughout the world. An
estimated 5 to 10 per cent of the world’s population is homosexual –
hundreds of millions of people, who are systematically discriminated
against.

In over eighty countries, sexual acts between people of the same sex are
still criminal offences. In these countries, LGBT people are extremely
susceptible to violation of their human rights: they may be arbitrarily
arrested and detained, and they may be intimidated or even tortured by
the authorities that ought to be protecting them. Their right to a fair
trial is under pressure, as is their freedom of association and
expression. In a few countries, the right to life is even at stake: in
Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen, homosexual acts are capital crimes.

Even in countries that do not criminalise homosexual acts, gays are
often in a very difficult position – accepted for who they are by
neither their families, nor their government, nor society as a whole.
They face major obstacles to enjoying their economic, social and
cultural rights; discrimination, exclusion and even aggression are never
far away. Indeed the realities of life are harsh for LGBT people.

Will this statement be enough to improve their situation? Of course not.
Is this statement a major step forward towards recognising their equal
rights? It most definitely is. Today is the first time in the history of
the United Nations General Assembly that such a large group of member
states has spoken out against discrimination based on sexual
orientation.

This statement was a joint initiative of France and the Netherlands. A
core group of countries from all the UN’s regional groups helped us
draft the statement and gather support for it. I am particularly
grateful to Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Gabon, Japan and Norway for
putting their weight firmly behind this initiative. I would also like to
thank all the member states that decided to sign the statement for their
support.

What this statement attempts to do is call the UN’s attention to human
rights violations and discrimination based on sexual orientation. Other
grounds for discrimination, such as race, colour and sex, are widely
condemned – and rightly so. Discrimination based on sexual
orientation, however, has been neglected by the international community.
In many countries, the issue is dismissed or ignored. This statement
aims to make debate about human rights and sexual orientation
commonplace at the UN. It is not meant to be a source of division, but
simply to eliminate the taboo that surrounds the problem: to make
possible a debate like the debates we have on so many other difficult
issues here at the UN. Some may still find this issue controversial;
they may have objections due to their personal convictions or cultural
background; but they should at least be prepared to discuss the question
openly. To me, launching an open discussion is this statement’s great
merit. The fact that it has attracted broad support from countries in
all the regional groups shows that bridges can be built. That is a
source of hope for the future.

Today’s statement is not radical. After all, the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights makes absolutely clear that everyone is entitled to the
rights and freedoms it enumerates, without distinction of any kind.
Human rights apply to all people, in all places and at all times. So
they apply to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people too. As
long as there is a divide between the principle of universality and the
practice of everyday life, statements like this are vital. There is a
need for concerted international action to promote the rights of
vulnerable groups in our societies that are susceptible to
discrimination.

Non-discrimination is the principle around which equal rights evolve. It
would be a big step forward if we could make explicit that sexual
orientation is not valid grounds for discrimination, any more than race,
colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or
social origin, property, birth or other status. To this end, I would
welcome a General Comment of the Human Rights Committee on article 2 of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which deals
with non-discrimination. I would also like to propose that the UN
Special Rapporteurs pay due attention to sexual orientation within their
respective mandates. And I hope the Office of the High Commissioner will
take up the fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

We should not leave this room merely with words in our heads, but also
with a resolve to act. Today’s statement should be the beginning of a
longer process. The Netherlands will remain strongly committed to
promoting and protecting human rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender people. The Dutch government has endorsed the Yogyakarta
Principles, which give an overview of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in relation to sexual orientation. I call on other states to
also embrace these Principles. Let’s turn today’s historic moment
into a historic movement!

Thank you.