Human rights are for all, but sexual identity can still be a death sentence

The UN Charter says that Member States must guarantee the rights of all people, regardless of history, culture or social norms. However, around the world, people continue to face discrimination, criminalization and violence purely because of their sexual orientation and identity.

Earlier this year, Secretary-General António Guterres promised that the UN “firmly stands with the LGBTIQ+ community and will continue working until human rights and dignity are a reality for all people”.

But what does that mean in practical terms, and how is the UN helping this community?

With Beatriz Barral from UN News, Michael Van Gelderen from the UN High Commission for Human Rights and Chris Mallouris from UNAIDS.

Editor: Yanran Bao, Executive Producer - Mita Hosali

The UN and LGBTIQ+ people: https://www.un.org/en/lgbtiq-people

UNAIDS response to the Namibia High Court Decision: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/june/20240621_namibia

UNAIDS response to the end of conversion therapy in Mexico: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/june/240612_mexico_conversion_therapy_ban

The World Population Prospects Report: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/07/1151971

The High-Level Political Forum programme: https://hlpf.un.org/2024/programme