Dear friends,

The resolution on extrajudicial executions (EJEs) is coming to a vote before the United Nations in New York on November 20th.

For the past 12 years, this resolution has urged States "to investigate promptly and thoroughly all killings, including... all killings committed for any discriminatory reason, including sexual orientation." Apart from Human Rights Council resolution 17/19, it is the only UN resolution with an explicit reference to sexual orientation.

This year the lead sponsor of the resolution, Sweden, has for the first time included a reference to gender identity, underscoring that no-one may be killed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Some States are proposing to delete the reference to sexual orientation and gender identity, whilst others wish to remove the entire listing of groups needing explicit protection from killings.

The last time this important resolution was considered by the UN's 3rd Committee in 2010, an amendment passed to remove the reference to sexual orientation. However, States fought back to overturn the amendment at another vote in the General Assembly.

Please take action now and urge your government to oppose any attempt to delete the list of groups needing protection, including on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. A Q&A Sheet with more information about the resolution is attached, as well as a one-page sheet on why explicitly identifying groups in need of protection is essential. We are also attaching voting records from when the amendment was adopted last time, so that you can see whether your government supported the sexual orientation reference, opposed it, or abstained.

You can find a contact list of Ministries of Foreign Affairs at http://www.ediplomat.com/dc/foreign_ministries.htm. You may also wish to send a copy of any correspondence to your country's ambassador or Mission in New York. A list of New York Missions is available at: http://www.un.org/en/members/

Thank you for your work to protect this crucial initiative to oppose unlawful killings based on sexual orientation and gender identity!

Signed:

• Action Canada for Population and Development
• Amnesty International
• AMSHeR - African Men for Sexual Health and Rights
• ARC International
• CariFLAGS - Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities
• COC Netherlands
• GATE - Global Action for Trans* Equality
• Heartland Alliance
• Human Rights Watch
• IDAHO Committee- International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia
• ICARH - International Centre for Advocacy on Rights to Health
• IGLHRC – International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
• International Commission of Jurists
• International Service for Human Rights
• ILGA - International Lesbian and Gay, Association
• ILGA-Europe
• Queer Youth Uganda
• RFSL - The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights
• Spectrum Uganda Initiatives Inc.
• United and Strong Inc., St Lucia