Kenya backs LGBTQ rights in UN vote as US withdraws
Kenya on Monday was among a host of countries that took a vote to renew the mandate of an LGBTQ+ rights expert.
Kenya on Monday was among a host of countries that took a vote to renew the mandate of an LGBTQ+ rights expert.
The vote will reinforce the international community’s commitment to documenting and addressing human rights violations against LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in countries where such abuses are prevalent and state-sanctioned.
This comes after the United Nations’ Human Rights Council voted on Monday to renew the mandate of an LGBTQ+ rights expert, a move welcomed by advocates amid the absence of the United States, a former key supporter that is now rolling back such protections.
Western diplomats had previously voiced concerns about the renewal of the mandate of South African scholar Graeme Reid, who helps to boost protections by documenting abuses and through dialogue with countries, according to Reuters.
The motion for a three-year renewal passed with 29 votes in favour, 15 against, and three abstentions. Supporters included Chile, Germany, Kenya, and South Africa, while several African nations and Qatar opposed it.
The vote is seen as a critical step in ensuring that LGBTQ+ rights remain on the international human rights agenda.
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In an era where some governments are regressing on LGBT protections, continued monitoring and reporting under a UN mandate offers victims a platform and keeps pressure on states to uphold their obligations under international law.
The United States, which has disengaged from the council under President Donald Trump, citing an alleged antisemitic bias, was previously a supporter of the mandate under the Biden administration.
Since taking office in January, Trump has signed executive orders to curb transgender rights and dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the government and private sector.
Meanwhile, in March this year, a study found that Kenya could lose up to Ksh1 trillion if a bill proposed by Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma to tighten the laws against homosexuality passes.
According to the study released by Open for Business, East African economies spend as much as Ksh646 billion (about $5 billion) a year due to the rising discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.
The study found that even without the proposed bill, Kenya already faces annual economic losses of up to Ksh201 billion ($1.5 billion) due to LGBTQ+ discrimination.
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