United Nations votes to form LGBT rights watchdog, India abstains
In a bid to curb violence against the LGBT community, the United Nations today voted to create a watchdog that would safeguard their rights. 23 members voted in favour of the resolution while 18 against it. Six countries, including India abstained from voting.
The new body would be headed by an "independent expert" who will have the responsibility of monitoring "violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity," reported Buzzfeed.
Ever since the Orlando shooting an increasing need was felt to protect the LGBT community from facing violence and discrimination.
Back home, India's abstaining from voting wouldn't go down well with gender activists and gay celebrities who had just two days back filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of Section 377 of the IPC that criminalizes consensual same-sex relations.
The celebrities, including chef Ritu Dalmia, hotelier Aman Nath and dancer N S Johar, have sought protection of their sexual rights on the ground that it is an integral part of the fundamental right to life.
With inputs from PTI
First published: 30 June 2016, 11:02 IST
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