Historic UN Briefing on LGBT People Focuses on Persecution and Killings in Iraq and Syria

(New York - August 24, 2015) – During an historic briefing before the U.N. Security Council on violence against LGBT by ISIS, Jessica Stern, executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), urged world governments to act urgently to support people targeted by extremist persecution and cruel acts in Iraq and Syria.

Stern briefed the Security Council on the violence faced by LGBT people in ISIS-held areas and outlined immediate steps to protect individuals at greatest risk in the region.

At a press briefing following the closed Security Council session, Stern said: "Given the extreme and constant forms of attack against LGBTI people we think it's of the utmost importance for the Security Council to act urgently."

During the Security Council session, two men targeted by the Islamic State, one each from Iraq and Syria, also shared their experiences with the Security Council. One of the men "Adnan" spoke by phone to keep his identity unknown, because of security concerns.

A timeline by IGLHRC of alleged killings by ISIS as punishment for sodomy and other crimes of "morality" circulated overhead in the hearing room. View timeline: https://youtu.be/JRA0QD51UH0

Stern urged the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and individual governments to act with urgency to assist individuals, including LGBT people, who are most in need of relocation. She urged the creation of safe houses in Iraq and also urged donor countries to support initiatives supporting psychosocial help for vulnerable individuals.

Stern said: "The heart of my message today is this: the international community must understand anti-LGBTI persecution as a component of how ISIS treats those it labels as 'impure.' We must recognize that these threats exist on a continuum of violence and discrimination before, during, and after conflict."

Stern noted that even before the rise of ISIS and its terror campaign LGBTI people, "LGBTI Iraqis and Syrians have been persecuted by intolerance permeating all aspects of life. It was not only the State that abdicated responsibility: some families would rather harm their own children than see their so-called "honor" besmirched. Some have twisted faith to incite violence."

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power and Chilean Ambassador to the UN Cristian Barros Melet will co-host the meeting and give remarks. Deputy U.N. Secretary General Jan Eliasson will also brief the Council. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is out of the country but will send remarks to the assembled body.

The "Arria-formula meetings" are informal, confidential gatherings that allow Security Council members to have a frank and private exchange of views. The process is named after Ambassador Diego Arria of Venezuela, who, as the representative of Venezuela on the Council (1992-1993), initiated the practice in 1992.

Additional documentation and reporting by IGLHRC on violence against LGBTI people in Iraq:

About International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

Every day, LGBTI people's human rights and dignity are abused around the world in ways that shock the conscience. IGLHRC, marking its 25th anniversary this year, fights to protect and advance dignity and human rights as part of the global human rights movement. We empower people on the front lines, hold leaders accountable and measure our impact through positive change in people's lives. We work with the United Nations, regional human rights monitoring bodies and civil society partners. IGLHRC holds consultative status at the United Nations as a recognized Non-Governmental Organization representing the concerns and human rights of lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and intersex people worldwide.

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