The Centre for Human Rights supports the call for inputs by the United Nations Independent Expert (IE) on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), for a thematic report on electoral participation and sexual orientation and gender identity. The purpose of the call is to seek inputs for incorporation into a report on the obstacles to full and meaningful participation in electoral processes that individuals face, linked to their real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. The report will be presented at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in November 2024, by the current IE SOGI, Graeme Reid.
The call and subsequent report are taking place in the light of 2024 being a historic election year with more than 50 countries, globally, and an estimated 2 billion people heading to the polls, including: Botswana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia and South Africa.
The Centre for Human Rights continues to support the IE SOGI mandate through collaborative efforts with the SOGIESC Unit to improve the lives of LGBTIQ+ persons in Africa and globally.
The deadline to provide submissions to the Call for Inputs is 25 April 2024. Inputs should be sent by email to hrc-ie-sogi@un.org in Word or PDF format, and may be submitted in English, French or Spanish. Submissions from civil society organisations, governments, national human rights institutions, academics, and individuals with relevant lived experiences are welcome.
Access the guidelines on the submission of inputs here.