There are calls for the establishment of a Special Procedure on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity at the UN Human Rights Council and while the NZ Human Rights Commission have only recently become aware of this - and are yet to formal consider a position - Commissioner Richard Tankersley says such a proposal “has significant merit”. “The NZ Human Rights Commission’s recent experiences with UN treaty body reporting processes have been that LGBTI human rights issues have not featured at all in the recommendations that have been made and this is concerning,” he says. “The establishment of Special Procedures, such as the appointment of special rapporteurs, can help advance human rights in areas or for populations where the standard mechanisms are having a low impact – this is why I see it as a positive proposal.” The wording of this proposed resolution is yet to be finalised and presented to the UN Human Rights Council for consideration and the establishment of a Special Procedure can only take place if it is voted on by governments at the UN Human Rights Council. “New Zealand is not a current member of the UNHRC,” says Tankersley, “but is able to engage actively in negotiations and is able where appropriate to co-sponsor resolutions to demonstrate support. “I understand that there are indications from MFAT that New Zealand would be receptive in principle to supporting a resolution of this nature, however clearly the government cannot take a firm position until the actual wording of the proposed resolution is available.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 10th June 2016 - 12:18pm