Thu 6 Oct 2016 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
The United Nations has appointed its first ever independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). Human Rights expert and law professor from Thailand, Prof Vitit Muntarbhorn was appointed by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council and will serve in the position for three years. His tasks will include assessing implementation of existing international human rights law, identifying best practices and gaps, raising awareness of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, engaging in dialogue and consultation with States and other stakeholders, and facilitating provision of advisory services, technical assistance, capacity-building and cooperation to help address violence and discrimination on these grounds. Having served on several UN bodies, his work has led him to participate in the drafting of the Yogyakarta Principles which address a broad range of human rights standards and their application to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.