The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission) on 7 April 2016 launched a report on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).
This report, titled ‘Ending violence and other human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity’, contains the proceedings and recommendations of a joint thematic dialogue on SOGI, which was held on 3 November 2015 between the African Commission, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and United Nations (UN) human rights mechanisms in Banjul, The Gambia, ahead of the 57th ordinary session of the African Commission. The dialogue, hosted by the African Commission, was supported and organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The dialogue built on recent developments in the African, Inter-American and UN human rights systems in relation to SOGI issues and aimed at sharing experiences and future possibilities and collaboration in ending violence and other human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Download this report (English)
Download this report (French)
The joint dialogue follows the adoption by the African Commission of Resolution 275 on Protection against Violence and other Human Rights Violations against Persons on the basis of their real or imputed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity in 2014 and contains a number of recommendations for joint action to give effect to this Resolution. Four background papers, dealing with SOGI in the African, Inter-American and UN systems, as well as a paper on the link between SOGI and HIV/AIDS are attached to the report of the joint dialogue. The Centre for Human Rights (CHR) facilitated the dialogue. The report is published by the Pretoria University Law Press (PULP).
Resolution 275 on Protection against Violence and other Human Rights Violations against Persons on the basis of their real or imputed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity in 2014 and contains a number of recommendations for joint action to give effect to this Resolution. Four background papers, dealing with SOGI in the African, Inter-American and UN systems, as well as a paper on the link between SOGI and HIV/AIDS are attached to the report of the joint dialogue. The Centre for Human Rights (CHR) facilitated the dialogue. The report is published by the Pretoria University Law Press (PULP).
The launch of the report took place at the African Commission’s 58th ordinary session, held in Banjul, The Gambia. The Chairperson of the Commission, Commissioner Lawrence Murugu Mute, the focal point of the African Commission on the issue, and other Commissioners and representatives of states and civil society organisations participated in the launch.