Text of Brazilian Resolution on Human Rights and Sexual Orientation
59th Session - L92
E/CN.4/2003/L.92
17 April 2003
Original: ENGLISH
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Fifty-ninth session
Agenda item 17: PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights and sexual orientation
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
Recalling that recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights
of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Reaffirming that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the principle of the
inadmissibility of discrimination and proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein without distinction of any kind,
Affirming that human rights education is a key to changing attitudes and behaviour and to
promoting respect for diversity in societies,
1. Expresses deep concern at the occurrence of violations of human rights in the
world against persons on the grounds of their sexual orientation;
2. Stresses that human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all
human beings, that the universal nature of these rights and freedoms is beyond question and that the enjoyment of such rights and freedoms should not be hindered in any way on the grounds of sexual orientation;
3. Calls upon all States to promote and protect the human rights of all persons
regardless of their sexual orientation;
4. Notes the attention given to human rights violations on the grounds of sexual
orientation by the special procedures in their reports to the Commission on Human Rights, as well as by the treaty monitoring bodies, and encourages all special procedures of the Commission,
within their mandates, to give due attention to the subject;
5. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to pay due
attention to the violation of human rights on the grounds of sexual orientation;
6. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its sixtieth session under the
same agenda item.