UN Resolution Will Be Voted Next Year
International
Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, April 25, 2003
By Suki Beavers, Canada Action for Population and
Development,
Hi everyone
I just listened to the last hour of debate from Geneva
via cell phone. There were many procedural issues raised, points of order all
over the place about whether rule 50 as invoked by both Germany and the OIC
applied to closure of debate on the amendments or of the item as a whole.
The Chair was asked to Rule immediately at several times
and did not.
In the end at 6:00 the Chair made a proposal that the CHR
decides to postpone consideration of item L92 (the resolution on sexual
orientation) and the proposed amendments L106-110 to the 60th session of the
CHR under the same agenda item.
Canada then took the floor and made a motion that because
this agenda item is so important that the CHR not be closed. Rather that the
CHR recommend to ECOSOC that there be a resumed session of not more than 2
days to complete the agenda items of the 59th session (this being the only
item left).
The Chair’s proposal came first and was voted on first
and passed by a vote of 24 in favour, 17 against and 10 abstentions. There was
no need for consideration of Canada’s motion.
So, there it is. This resolution was not defeated and it
and we will be back with a vengeance next year. Although we didn’t get a
full out victory, neither is this a defeat and it is clear that this will be
the issue for the CHR next year.
Thank you to all of you for your support and great
advocacy.
It may be hard to view it this way right now but this is
a huge victory!
Thanks again to all of you.
Suki
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