A vote by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on a historic "Human Rights and Sexual Orientation" resolution--introduced by Brazil and backed by several countries such as Canada, New Zealand, and several European Union members--will be postponed until April 24 or 25; it was originally scheduled for today. Support in lobbying key governments is urgently needed!

ACTION

The UN Commission on Human Rights has 53 Member-States. Five key members who may vote in favor of the resolution if rigorously lobbied are Argentina, Australia, India, South Africa, and the United States. Please contact your government's Foreign Affairs Ministry and/or the delegations of the following key members of the UN Human Rights Commission and encourage them to vote in favor of the Resolution. It is important that these governments know that there are individuals and organizations aware of the upcoming vote and vigilant about the results.

United States
Tatiana Gfoeller-Volkoff
Director, Office of Multilateral Affairs
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

U.S. State Department
Phone: +1-202-647-4380
Permanent Mission-Geneva
Phone: +41-22-749 4111
Fax: +41-22-749 4880

Australia
Permanent Mission-Geneva:

Phone: +41-22-799 9100
Fax: +41-22-799 9175

Argentina
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Buenos Aires
Foreign Affairs Minister: Dr. Carlos Federico Ruckauf

Phone: +54-11-4819-7000, 4394-5600; +54-11-4311-3771
Fax: +54-11-4819-7501
Head of delegation: Minister Norma Nascimbene
Permanent Mission, Geneva
Phone: +41-22-929 8600
Fax: +41-22-798 5995

India
Head of delegation: Ambassador Mr. Puri
Permanent Mission-Geneva

Phone: +41-22-9068686
Fax: +41-22-906 8696

South Africa
Head of delegation: Mr. Momteedi
Permanent Mission-Geneva

Phone: +41-22-849 5454
Fax: +41-22-849 5432

MODEL LETTER

You will find below a Model Letter. It is very broad, to be applicable to as many countries as possible. If your country has already passed anti-discriminatory (and/or partnership and/or hate crimes) legislation that explicitly mentions sexual orientation, please refer to it in your letters.

Dear Sirs,

On Wednesday, April 23, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in its 59th Session in Geneva will vote on a resolution "Human Rights and Sexual Orientation" that has been introduced by Brazil. The Resolution is aimed at acknowledging discrimination based on sexual orientation and protecting those affected by it.

We would like to see our country among those who vote in favor of this Resolution. By doing so, we will be positioning ourselves among those who are true to those values that form the core of international human rights legislation: dignity and justice for all human beings, without discrimination whatsoever.

We will be following the vote in Geneva. Let us hope that it becomes and opportunity for us to feel proud of our country.

Yours sincerely,

(Name, address, organization)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Additional information, including the text of the resolution, can be found at:
IGLHRC Alert: United Nations: A Resolution on "Human Rights and Sexual Orientation" Will be Voted on April 23. Encourage Your Government to Support It!
http://www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc/section.php?id=5&detail=420