LGBT Rights

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Afghanistan
Delegate Name: Grant Charles Centner
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights have been asked to be assessed repeatedly by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. Around the world more and more countries are becoming increasingly accepting of homosexuals and other sexual orientations. While Afghanistan understands each country’s need to expand equality, no country should trample on the rights of a sovereign nation or their cultural and religious institutions. Afghanistan has a history of leaders of communities and men with power taking “Bacha Bareez” or beardless boys into their home for sexual favors. (BBC) The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will continue to jail these pedophiles and men who take advantage of people with less power than them. Recently many Islamic nations have come under attack for their treatment of the LGBT community, western countries who understand nothing of Islam have repeatedly attacked nations like Afghanistan for their religious institutions. (The diplomat) Afghanistan has its own penal code in accordance with Sharia Law, under no circumstance will Afghanistan ignore the word of Allah and Sharia Law.

In 2006 the UN General Assembly and Human Rights council was first addressed with the issue of LGBT Rights, although talks had been going on for quite a time before then. On December 18, 2008, the UN General Assembly formally condemned all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in a joint statement signed and passed by only 66 out of 126 voting members of the UN. (OHCHR) Afghanistan was not one of the signatories of this statement, in fact, Afghanistan signed a statement in opposition to the joint statement written by Egypt. (Reuters) Afghanistan will continue to oppose any resolution or statement that is designed to prevent Afghanistan from implementing its cultural and religious beliefs in its government. In Article 427 (1) of the Afghanistan Penal Code it states that “A person who commits adultery or pederasty (sexual relations between a man and a boy) shall be sentenced to a long imprisonment.” This will remain part of the Afghan Penal Code because it is used to protect underage individuals from nonconsensual sexual encounters.

Afghanistan would like to see no further action taken on the topic of LGBT rights, unless it does not infringe on a nations national sovereignty or their religious practices. LGBT people have the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts, so there is no need to create special circumstances just for people who claim to be part of the LGBT community. Afghanistan would like a resolution to include funding from more affluent countries that would help police in Afghanistan end the practice of Bacha Bereesh. Afghanistan is fully willing to cooperate with any country who proposes a resolution that will not interfere with our cultural or religious practices.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Belgium
Delegate Name: Emily Preston
School: Williamston High School

LGBT rights have been the topic of much controversy over the years and yet due to the fierce opposition from some countries that believe that it is against their moral right, little has been done to help these people obtain and protect their respective rights. In the past the HRC has barely been able to pass proposed resolutions in very close votes. In 2011 the HRC very narrowly passed its resolution on “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity,” the first UN resolution where states directly express their concern for growing persecution and discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity. This led the way for further action in both 2014 and 2016, which adopted additional resolutions providing further protections for LGBT persons and their rights. These resolutions does not guarantee rights to LGBT members, many countries still criminalize same-sex relationships. Various punishments are given out by the government or by families or village elders who have gotten permission by the local authorities or by the government itself. These punishments could include fines, imprisonment,re-education programs, “corrective” rape, and even the death penalty. The HRC must come to some kind of agreement to help these people maintain their rights and maybe even their lives. As a country who has had same-sex marriage legalized since 2003, Belgium has seen many forms of LGBT discrimination in our country. In an EU- wide survey of LGBT people’s experiences of discrimination, 35% of Belgium’s LGBT community that responded to the survey felt discriminated against or harassed because of their sexual orientation. 15% felt discriminated against while at work or while looking for a job and 30% felt discriminated while buying goods or accessing essential services, social services, healthcare or housing. This discrimination is most often seen with transgenders. In a survey conducted in November of 2012 by The Institute for Equality of Women about violence and harassment of transgender people in Belgium, they found that 80% of transgendered Belgians have experienced violence due to their gender identity; 33% percent have experienced sexual violence; 50% have experienced physical and or verbal violence. In addition to general surveys, there have been many crimes reported by members of the LGBT community. In 2011 a 20 year old woman in Virton, Belgium made a complaint about repeated assaults and ‘corrective’ rapes against her father. This particular case started in 2008 when her father discovered she was a lesbian. In April of 2012, a 32 year old man was found dead after being beaten to death by a group of men. This beating was shortly connected to a wave of homophobic crimes in Belgium. There were 183 reported crimes linked to homophobia in 2017, the third highest LGBT discrimination crime rate in ten years, only 10 cases short of 2014’s 193 cases. If there is not any change in how we as a globe handle LGBT rights, those numbers could skyrocket in the near future. As a member of the HRC, Belgium is trying to help both the global and local LGBT community as best we can. On February 25, 2003, Belgium passed an anti-discrimination law which offers legal protection for people on the basis of their sex and sexual orientation. Four years later Belgium replaced this with a similar law which gave more protection to LGBT members and created penalty-enhancement for crimes motivated by hate on the basis of sex and sexual orientation. On 29 November 2013, the Federal Government approved a change to the anti-discrimination law to include gender identity and gender expression. The sex discrimination act of 2007 provides a legal basis for the change of sex and name for transgender persons. There have also been some non-government issued steps taken by the people such as the rainbow cops an association of police officers. It was set up following an initiative of the Diversity Department of the National Police. The Rainbow Cops aims to defend LGBT rights. Along with producing several national laws, Belgium has showed its support for several international laws as well. Belgium is a signatory to international treaties and human rights declarations, including prohibitions of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Belgium is also a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, ICCPR, ICESCR and other agreements which uphold essential human rights. These laws and agreements have put the foundation to help LGBT rights grow and prosper under the right care.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Bolivia
Delegate Name: Bella Oswalt
School: Vicksburg High School

One of the first countries to decriminalize same sex interactions, Bolivia has always been on the forefront of change. As LGBT rights are being recognized and fought for more and more frequently throughout the world, it is important for the United Nations to recognize the basic rights being fought for. Discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual identities is a common issue that many countries, including Bolivia are trying to eradicate. In a recent poll, it was found that the public was split nearly fifty fifty on whether or not homosexuality should be publicly accepted. Reflected almost the same way in the government, same sex interactions are legal, while same sex marriage is not. Established in 1832, the Bolivian government declared same sex activity legal. More progressively, however, in 2009 an amendment was added to the constitution that bars and punishes sexual and gender identity discrimination. Even more recently, in 2016, a gender identity law was passed that allows citizens over 18 to officially change their name and gender on legal documents. Progressive in some ways, Bolivia has expressed no further plans to legalize same sex marriage as it stands, however an appeal made by LGBT groups has been made to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that asks for recognition of same sex marriages. Constitutionally Bolivia does not suggest that same sex marriage be legalized, but instead continues to recognize and protect individuals discriminated against for their orientation. Moving forward with this, Bolivia is willing to work with countries that feel the same way as our nation, and would like to see a resolution that further enforces anti-discriminatory values.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Divya Reddy
School: Williamston High School

The Human Rights Committee (HRC) holds an important duty to protect all citizens of nations, no matter any aspect of identity. The topic of discrimination and persecution of members belonging to the LGBT community is one that greatly pertains to this duty. Around the world in many of our nations, members of this community have been discriminated against through means such as denial of housing services, employment, marriage, adoption, and basic protections. LGBT members have also faced types of prosecution and abuse byways of “corrective rape”, mental or physical abuse, imprisonment, re-education programs, fines, the death penalty and many more means of “punishment”. The 2015 United Nations Report states that at the time at least 76 states hold laws that uphold ways to criminalize or harass a person for their sexuality, gender identity, or ways of expression. This includes the criminalization and persecution of same-sex consensual relationships through ways such as the previously mentioned death penalty. Some countries have also established specialized prosecution units against LGBT people. To further bring this topic into the light, hundreds of people are killed in many regions each year, with confirmed motives of LGBT violence. If the Human Rights Committee does not address these occurrences now, the number of laws enabling hate-crimes and the persecution of LGBT people as well the death rates of LGBT people will continue to rise. HRC must compose an innovative and impactful plan to give LGBT members not only their basic rights but also their ability to show their true selves . The National Council of Brazil is proud to state that as of May 14, 2013, LGBT citizens of Brazil can get married legally, as well as hold the same benefits and protections available to other citizens of Brazil such as the right to adoption. As of March 1st, 2018 Brazil has also legalized the changing of one’s official gender without the necessity of surgery beforehand. Brazil is a strong believer that these protections and options should be accessible to all citizens of our sovereign nation. With that being said, the basic protection of Brazilian LGBT citizens is being threatened as Brazil faces one of the highest death rates with confirmed motives against LGBT citizens in the world. In 2012 alone, Brazil experienced 310 murders where homophobia or transphobia was a motive. Brazilian LGBT citizens also face blatant forms of discrimination such as the fact that gay and bisexual men are prohibited from donating blood. To continue, Brazilian LGBT citizens also face prosecution, even with the laws placed to prevent these actions. For example, in 2017 a federal judge ruled that the practice of “conversion therapy” was legal to perform on LGBT patients, while in fact there was a law passed in 1999 by Brazil’s Federal Council of Psychology prohibiting this practice. The judge later reversed his decision, but several evangelical psychologists carried out this practice anyway after stating the questionable consent of their patients. Brazil is also a secular state, being home to one of the largest Catholic communities. This leaves religion to be the prime reason for homophobia and transphobia. The Catholic Church and many Protestant Churches express their disapproval of homosexuality and the transgender community regularly. However, Brazil has also seen an uprise in the number of supportive churches such as the Metropolitan Community Church. This due to the improving social opinion of the LGBT community in Brazil. Some churches even allow the marriage of same-sex couples in their church as well. Still, the protection of LGBT citizens is on the rise with the constitution already prohibiting discriminatory laws, many anti-discriminatory enactments are taking place in Brazilian states. This includes the creation of unions, gender-change laws and many more protections. All in all, Brazil feels that strict laws need to be placed that not only state anti-discriminatory rights and measures, but carry them out. With this amount of people losing their lives each year, Brazil cannot afford to have anyone slip through the cracks and face prosecution or discrimination that violates the national constitution. It is the Human Rights Committee’s main duty to protect these citizens and Brazil as well in support of creating a detailed strategy to help ensure their rights, freedoms, and livelihoods. Furthermore, in terms of creating a safe and supportive environment for these citizens, Brazil is equipped with a plan to help ensure the creation of this space. It is already known that around 70% of Brazilians are in support of anti-discrimination laws for LGBT citizens according to a 2008 survey, however, the religious aspect of Brazil greatly diminishes this approval. The approval of these laws is still in pending by the Brazilian Senate, as of 2018. Brazil, as of 2009 released the National Plan for the Promotion of Citizenship and Human Rights of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite, and Transsexual). This plan contains 51 guidelines which Brazil plans to transform into state policies. Since this plan was released in 2009, many of the guidelines have been carried out such as the right to adoption. However, many of these guidelines are still pending under the Brazilian government. Some of these guidelines are to insert texts and topics of LGBT knowledge and families into basic school textbooks, to include topics of LGBT knowledge into military trainings, to review the ruling of blood refusal by LGBT citizens, to review the use of masculinizing and feminizing hormones by the trans community, and to allow LGBT women to utilize the Maria da Penha Law, which punishes aggressions against women, and lastly to classify homophobic and transphobic material in children’s resources as inappropriate. The plan also holds many more guidelines, all of which will work to improve the social opinion of the LGBT community. These guidelines will also work to form a stable union between the LGBT community and the nation of Brazil, a union which respects the rights of all citizens. The president of ABGLT (Brazilian Association of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transvestites, and Transsexuals) stated that she does not advocate for only marriage, what the community wants most is just for their basic rights to life and protection to be respected by all. Brazil is open and continuing to work to make this wish become a reality. Brazil feels that if the council first work to create overall guidelines such as these for all nations, nations individually can use the guidelines to create a plan that will form a stable union between all its citizens in the future.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Tyler Grubb
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

LGBT rights are currently a pressing topic in the global world. Political disagreements and ununified legislation determining the rights of the LGBT community are important issues that require immediate legislation by our committee. Although there are been improvement on international LGBT rights, there are many countries and societies where the well-being of an individual is placed second societal views of sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBT rights have divided large populations from their countries, as many communities use severe punishments including fines, imprisonment, re-education programs, “corrective” rape, and the death penalty. In order for every individual to have access to the rights granted to them in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Human Rights Council must work together to create legislation which strongly prevents discrimination and prosecution of the LGBT community.

As a country who has largely accepted the LGBT community into our society and our national legislation, Canada understands the importance of protecting minority communities. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland emphasizes that “it is our role to provide refuge to the persecuted and downtrodden.” Canada, protecting the rights to equal protection to the law without discrimination, believes the injustices to the LGBT community which have stripped them of their human rights laid out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights: security of person, recognition as a person before the law, protection from torture and degrading treatment or punishment, should be penalized. The Human Rights Council has made great strides towards increasing the acknowledgment and application of LGBT rights. However, implementation in many third world and strongly religious nations is lacking. Canada believes the rights of the LGBT community are more pressing than the rights of a countries religious view towards the LGBT people. According to the Supreme Court of Canada, religion is not an excuse for the intolerance of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Canada proposes that the United Nations strengthen its legislation which validates and extends LGBT rights, specifically in nations which have not fully implemented previously stated expectations. If a nation is not willing or able to recognize and apply these rights for all citizens, then steps should be taken to help guide a nation towards fulfilling their duty to protect human rights. Strong and immediate steps should also be taken to diminish the use of inhumane punishments towards these people. In doing this, the Human Rights Council will be able to achieve its goal of every nation within the UN to follow the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Chile
Delegate Name: Adeline Gutowski
School: Roeper School

Lgbt rights are a high priority topic that needs to be addressed by the United Nations. Whether it’s the hate crimes, abuse or discrimination, this should not be tolerated. Chile has made many efforts to help normalize the lqbtq+ community, yet they still have lots more to do. Currently, in Chile, it is illegal to get married to someone of the same sex. There have been three attempts to legalize same-sex marriage, one in 2013, 2014 and 2015. There have been countless rallies demanding same-sex marriage. Yet there has been no outcome. Gay adoption rights are another big topic in Chile. In Chile families or individuals that would like to adopt have to go through a process and a half to get accepted. There is a law stating that when a single person that is a part of the LGBT community would like to adopt a child they may, but if a couple would like to adopt that is simply not allowed, but one loophole is the same-sex couple would like to adopt a child they can, if one of the parents legally adopt the child but the other partner can not have legal ownership over the child. Now for some solutions. My first solution is passing a law or laws that state that any couple of the same sex can get married and adopt children. This, of course, Is the easy way out. In 2004 65% of the population of Chile voted to legalize gay marriage. So chile guessing there wouldn’t be much backlash. Another solution is normalizing the lgbtq+ community to show that it's not “scary” or they are doing anything “wrong”. A way of educating citizens on the LGBT community would be by coming up with support groups for those who are part of the lgbtq+ community so that they feel safe expressing themselves. To conclude, Chile needs to change their outlook on this topic. They have a lot of work to do including changing laws and normalizing the LGBT community.

1 “LGBT Rights In Chile.” Golden Screen Cinemas, ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Chile.html. 2 United Nations. “Chile Passes Landmark Domestic Legislation on Refugees.” UNHCR, www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/latest/2010/3/4b991ae06/chile-passes-landmark-domestic-legislation-refugees.html.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: China
Delegate Name: Ximena Sandoval Mayen
School: Instituto Educativo Olinca

The topic of LGBT rights in China is deeply complex. The biggest part of society has problems condoning this community and it is a very sensitive topic; therefore, throughout history it has never been a publicly treated topic since it is hard to approach. However there is a large community throughout the nation and this has caught the government's attention; especially since the HIV rate started to grow amongst homosexual males. Awareness about HIV has started due to the Western influence in China and its exponential growth in homosexual men; however, the awareness process has slower pace for lesbians.

Tradition, being so relevant within the communities, makes it hard for any type of minorities to be included. One of those traditions that is still very strong is filial piety: respecting and obeying your ancestors. This concept makes it even harder for young Chinese citizens to have a say in their future choices as well as sexual orientation. Moreover, thanks to the One Child Law, producing offspring is very important to families; given that same sex couples are not legally allowed to adopt a child, it is not approved by most families.

It has never been technically illegal to be homosexual; however, an anti-hooliganism law that once existed was used to intimidate gay men. This law did not apply for lesbians, however, due to the fact a sexual relationship without a male was not considered valid. The abolition of this law in 1997, was seen as a big milestone for the community; however, despite the fact that there have been advances, the existence of transgender people continues be a taboo in Chinese society, while they struggle the most to cope with emotional and health issues due to limited resources.

When there is a general dislike from society towards a certain group, there is not much a government can do in order to change their point of view, especially with fully-grown adults. China plans to act as in previous years to educate its population about illnesses such as HIV, and raise awareness about LGBT rights; besides working to fill all the legal loopholes. Despite these efforts, we can not force anyone to think differently; China will try and educate gently step by step. An issue like this can not be tackled all at once, but as part of a global community, and with our avid wish to make the country the best, we can take small steps to pave the way to achieve equality.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Colombia

In recent years, the Colombian government has sprung to the forefront of the progression of LGBT rights in Latin America. The Colombian government decriminalized homosexual intercourse as of one of many amendments to Colombia’s criminal code in 1981, and since then the Colombian government has been consistently furthering their support of LGBT individuals and couples. Transgender Colombians were afforded the right to change their legal name and gender in 1993, and as of 2015, they no longer require psychiatric or physical evaluations in order to do so. Same-sex marriage is recognized as of 2016, and joint adoption by same-sex couples has been legal since 2015. Additionally, LGBT people are afforded the right to serve openly in the Colombian military. However, despite the recent advancements of LGBT rights by the Colombian government, the people of Colombia still wallow in controversy over these new policies. Despite the legal protection afforded to LGBT people, there are still many reported case of discrimination against LGBT. Additionally, the rate of violence against LGBT individuals in Colombia is remarkably high. There were 107 reported murders of LGBT individuals in 2016 and 108 in 2017, with most of the victims being transgender women or gay men. Recent polls suggest that most Colombians oppose the recent advancements, many of whom cite religious reasons for their opposition to LGBT rights. However, the Colombian government has supported and will continue to advocate for the advancement of LGBT rights on an international scale as well as on a national scale, and will wholeheartedly support any action that furthers the rights of LGBT people around the world.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Côte d’Ivoire
Delegate Name: Lillian Deering
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

The rights of the LGBT community are treated as issues of minimal importance throughout the world. The community is often berated with disrespect and a lack of protection from discrimination. Same-sex relationships are met with prejudice that leads to violence and puts these individuals in danger. Transgender, nonbinary, and intersex persons also suffer, both from discrimination from the populous and a lack of legal protection or assistance. The Ivorian government intends to review the struggles of such individuals and assess the situation and how it may be remedied. Côte d’Ivoire is one of the few African nations in which homosexuality is legally permitted. In fact, the country is widely considered a safe haven among the LGBT community from surrounding countries. Many of these individuals flee to Côte d’Ivoire to escape persecution from their homes. However, as stated in our Ivorian Penal Code, “public indecency with a same-sex partner is criminalized,” and is punishable by three months to two years of imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 to 500,000 francs. Still, thorough legal prosecution is rare, and punishment is often left to the general population’s denunciation on the infringing parties. Despite the legality of the act, homophobia is rampant in the country and deters members of the LGBT community from being open with their sexuality or gender. Carlos Idibouo (former chairman of Arc-en-ciel), backed up by the 2010 US Department of State’s Human Rights Report, confirmed that the community often suffers the most at the hands of the Côte d’Ivoire police force, which is known to distribute violence. Côte d’Ivoire also does not officially recognize LGBT persons’ identities and maintains the illegality of changing one’s gender. However, we as a nation are eager to put in place protections for the community. Côte d’Ivoire recognizes the struggles of LGBT persons in our country and is dedicated to alleviating them. As our representative stated in the 2010 UN Human Rights Council Periodic Review, Côte d’Ivoire is prepared to begin “to take measures to ensure non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.” However, in the recent turbulence of political upheaval, our administration is hesitant to devote valuable resources to creating programs for awareness or protection. Still, as Côte d’Ivoire continues to become stable once again, we are eager to reevaluate our lack of action and are looking forward to cooperating with our fellow delegates to improve such a severe issue.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Czech Republic
Delegate Name: Nataleigh Grochoski
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

LGBT rights is a prominent issue worldwide. The UN is actively engaged in a variety of efforts with the hope of protecting people on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. There are many different forms of LGBT discrimination including harassment, psychological abuse, physical abuse, assault, rape, and murder. Around the world, a wide variety of punishments are still used by the government, families, or local elders. These punishments include fines, imprisonment, re-education programs, “corrective” rape, and even the death penalty. Past resolution has been known to pass in narrow margins as this is a very controversial topic which is opposed by many countries worldwide. It is extremely important that all people be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation. In 2016 1 in 4 LGBT people reported facing discrimination. Globally the LGBT community faces intensifying backlash. Being such a vulnerable minority, the LGBT community is used as scapegoats for embattled leaders trying to rally conservative support. Evidence of this can be seen in Russia, Uganda, or Nigeria. Currently, in Uganda, the LGBT community is portrayed as a foreign import, not part of traditional culture scapegoating the community in an artificial context. As this is such an issue around the world it is impertinent that the Human Resouces Committee works to find a solution to the widespread discrimination.

As the first post-communist nation with gay marriage, it can be seen that LGBT rights are highly supported by the Czech Republic. Legal status was granted to gays and lesbians in 2006 but the allowance of gay marriage had thus far been banned. In 2016 the Czech court ruled to allow LGBT couples to adopt children furthering their road to equality. One of the lawmakers who drafted the legislation of same-sex marriage, ANO MP Radka Maxova stated, "The fundamental principle of this amendment is to offer same-sex couples and their children the same dignity and protection of family life that (heterosexual) spouses and their children already enjoy”. The Czech Republic has long been supported by LGBT rights. In 2001 anti-discrimination protections were installed in the National Labor Code, allowing gay soldiers the right to serve in the military openly. In 2006 registered partnership was legalized in the Czech Republic, allowing gay marriage.

As the Czech Republic has already established a wide variety of LGBT rights it wished other countries to do the same in regards to this topic. As a supporter of the past LGBT resolution of the Human Rights Council in 2014, the Czech Republic wants to see more resolutions passed in this regard. As an international community, the Czech Republic would like all countries to address LGBT rights and establish more equal treatment of all people in society.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: El Salvador
Delegate Name: Rain Tarango
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

Around the world there are 73 countries where homosexuality is illegal, and eight countries where homosexuality is punishable by death under Sharia law according to a International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Homophobia report. In El Salvador many areas are plagued by the violent acts of gang members and prejudiced individuals. After reporting 3,954 homicides in 2017, El Salvador remains one of most violent countries in the world. Especially vulnerable to attacks, discrimination, marginalization and murder are LGBT members. Police in El Salvador rarely investigate attacks and as a result, violence continues to persist. Although El Salvador has no laws punishing homosexuality, and national laws exist to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, violence remains widespread and prohibits LGBT members from attaining the rights the government has granted them.

The Constitution of El Salvador guarantees equal protection under the law which legally protects civil rights that cannot be denied on the basis of sex, race, and nationality. The Supreme Court of El Salvador implements this clause to cover and protect sexual orientation. In 2015 an amendment to the Salvadoran Criminal Code increased penalties for homicide and verbal assault motivated by prejudice against a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity. El Salvador is beginning to take strides in acknowledging and providing members of the LGBT community the full scope and access of their rights. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in El Salvador since 1822. New actions in the El Salvadoran government have expanded LGBT rights by passing anti- discrimination laws in employment, and provision of goods and services. However, El Salvador faces challenges in implementing new laws and right expanding actions. Threats to transgender people, open gay and lesbians, and outspoken LGBT activists affect the country nearly everyday. Many have been threatened to leave the country or face death. Standing in the front of meaningful change in El Salvador is violence. With little enforcement by police, El Salvador will continue to remain one of the world’s most violent countries and be unable to properly support the rights of LGBT members.

El Salvador recognizes the importance of installing rights and providing non threatening environments to the LGBT community. El Salvador believes that in order to reduce violent acts against transgender people, or LGBT rights activists the UN needs to take a forceful stance against violence. The UN must become proactive in ensuring a safe environment to LGBT members before granting more rights and freedoms. Additionally, other members of the UN that face negative public responses towards LGBT members should work to change public perceptions to decrease hate crimes, threats, and discrimination. Without these actions, violence will continue to persist in El Salvador.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Lilly Waterfall
School: Royal Oak High School

The growth of the LGBTQ community has raised questions about what rights are instore to afford the community the basic, fundamental rights they have previously lacked, and specifically what liberties are allowed for these people. With Ethiopia's growth and new acceptance of exploring the breakthrough for equality in relation to sexual orientation/identity, the topic of LGBTQ rights often encourages discussion. Ethiopia is growing in the realm of equality, currently at a spot breaking previous norms of gender and sexuality equality. As this new and challenged idea of equality is growing in a country with highly religious, patriarchal values, this is a step in the right direction. With that being said, although the rights of those in the LGBT+ community are being expanded, you can only go one step at a time. As a country with strong Abrahamic values, the rights and inclusion of people in the LGBT community is not currently accepted as an idea or as a right through the Ethiopian parliament. The UN should allow countries to recognize LGBTQ citizens at thier own time when right for a country. With a growth in rights and freedoms for citizens, accepting homosexuals into the community would only result in an outrage of anger due to the largely religious beliefs. The way Ethiopians and the government decides to look at this branch of sexual activity, allowing rights is against the country's core beliefs. Any act of homosexuality is illegal and can lead to imprisonment. Homosexuality is choice, in a 2007 project, Ethiopians said the homosexuality is choice and that it is away of life that Ethiopians do not want to grow into the society. Ethiopia is nowhere near ready to allow such a crime against the religious beliefs of the people into the country. Ethiopia recognizes other countries with not as strong religious beliefs are allowed to place what fits best for that country. But what fits best for Ethiopia is to allow slow changes into equality and slowly being able to expand to the rights with the growing world. As of now and since the founding of this country, homosexuals will be punished for their wrongdoings against Ethiopia's society standards. As the UN chooses to assess the growing and expanding world into new territories of exploration, Ethiopia says to the nations here in this committee that respect of the cultural and religious values of countries is principal. With these values, countries shall be allowed to grow and continue to follow traditional values. This new way of life is slowly taking over the world and Ethiopia wants to follow what's right for the country and what's right overall.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: France
Delegate Name: Ashley Brush
School: Mattawan High School

Before the late 2010’s, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) did not outright protect the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of individuals victim of discrimination or abuse. However, in recent years as controversy remains, the issue is becoming more popular and there is a need for a resolution. The UN is striving to provide a plan that addresses and prevents the foundation of sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination that occurs throughout the world. In past times, the plans made faced large opposition and backlash, but the societal norms are changing throughout the world. Nonetheless, some states still outlaw same sex marriage, having intense consequences for breaking these laws.

On October 6, 1791, homosexuality was deemed legal by law in France. Throughout history, the laws become more selective and increased consent age to 21. This law remained until August of 1982. France, having a deep catholic history and belief in classical marriages, did not sit well with the newly established rights. As same-sex laws were beginning to develop, the beliefs faced large opposition, as well as protests from the public. Later, as societal values have transitioned, a form of civil union developed in 1999 called the civil solidarity act (commonly known as PACS), giving rights to same-sex couples but not at the level of marriage privileges. As these laws set into place, it was a tough transition for many people, but as time passed, societal views changed. PACS have now expanded the rights of same-sex couples, whereas 94 percent of the couples using this civil union were of different sexes. In 2013, marriage became legal as well as the adoption of children from same sex couples. France recognizes that these individuals should receive the freedoms set for all citizens and should be allowed equal treatment as deserved.

In order to better prevent discrimination and abuse against the LGBT community, France suggests that there should be actions put into place promoting the values of these individuals and shaping the future into one with laws allowing marriage between same sex couples. Other countries should follow these guidelines and form a well rounded society that benefits all persons equally. These laws should authorize citizens to have the same responsibilities and freedoms, legalizing same sex marriage and offering equal treatment for all.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Jonathan Andrews
School: Kalamazoo Central High School

It is imperative that the Human Rights Committee address the horrors that have been committed against the LGBT community worldwide. This discrimination and violence, both emotional and physical, has continued for far too long. People have been raped, tormented, and killed, just because they love differently than their government says they should. As the Human Rights Committee it is our responsibility to continue to address these issues. The HRC has made good efforts on this topic in the past, but Germany firmly believes that more still needs to be done. When a country's moral or religious beliefs continue to a point where they are committing regular atrocities to their own citizens, it is time that the UN steps in and does something about it. Germany’s beliefs on this topic are made evident when examining the voting history of previous resolutions pertaining to LGBT rights, as Germany has been in support of them.

We have taken measures to protect the rights of LGBT persons on both the national and global stage. On the first of October, in 2017 our national legislature officially legalized same sex marriage. We believe that this has led to greater levels of equality in our country, better than any previous time in the history of Germany. All people are equal in our country, as shown by our total outlawing of discrimination both in the workplace and in the sale of goods or services on the basis of gender or sexual orientation. Since 1980 people identifying as transgender have been able to legally change their gender, even without a surgical procedure. A poll taken in 2013 showed that based on the sample, 87% of German citizens believe homosexuality should be allowed globally. We believe that the horrors of conversion therapy and corrective rape must be terminated, as shown by our nationwide ban of conversion therapy.

Germany believes that given the severity of the violations of the human rights of LGBT peoples around the world, especially in predominantly Muslim nations, it is time that we focus not on national sovereignty, but rather on protecting innocent civilians. Germany would like to see this committee take action to protect the rights of LGBT persons and further actions to ensure that governments which choose to continue these atrocities are punished.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Gabe Howald
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

LGBT rights are a pressing issue in this day of age for the Human Rights Committee to cover. The UN has actively acted against discrimination of people in the LGBT committee. Greece is strongly against any forms of harassment, such as physical abuse, psychological abuse, rape, and murder. Although there have been improvements in this field, people are still being punished and discriminated against for their sexual orientation and gender identity. People within the LGBT committee are being segregated against the mainstream society, and are viewed upon as abnormal in comparison a heterosexual. The Human Rights Council must push for a new legislation to end discrimination against the LGBT community.

LGBT rights have always been recognized as an important topic to Greece. Homosexuality has been legal since 1951, earlier then China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of the Permanent Five nations. Greece have been very friendly and supportive to their LGBT community. Same-sex couples are protected in workplace from discrimination regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Since 2010, Greek citizens have been able to transition freely without any conditions or requirements. Greece pushed the next generation and ensures that they are accepting, by strongly implementing education of homophobia and transphobia upon the youth. Although the religion of Greece is 98% Christian Orthodox, they have come to a general consensus that even though the Archiodeces lists homosexuality as a sin and immoral, it should be allowed. Greece is strongly against discrimination of the LGBT community, and encourage other nations to follow their lead and do the same. Greece is a very forward country in terms of LGBT rights.

Greece has already put in place many different policies to support the LGBT community, and hopes that other countries will do the same in regards to homosexuality, sexual orientation, and discrimination. As a supporter of LGBT rights, Greece would like to see more resolutions with these goals in mind. They would like all countries to be more accepting of the LGBT communities within their borders, and to embrace them as human beings.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Guyana
Delegate Name: Daniel Crum
School: Kalamazoo Central High School

LGBT rights has become an increasingly discussed topic worldwide. And the sovereign state of Guyana believes that the United Nations should allow countries to stay exactly that, sovereign.

Guyana is a heavily Christian country community and country and does not see the need for change in our laws or our way of life. We have already given the LGBT community adequate rights, and now the United Nations wishes to impose a change in which we don’t believe.

We are looking forward to working with countries like Russia, and Syria to ensure our nation’s sovereignty. We will continue to protect our way of life and our beliefs. Guyana hopes that it will be able to retain its sovereignty and our beliefs.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: India
Delegate Name: Jack Rossbach
School: Royal Oak High School

The topic of LGBTQ+ rights has always been a controversial one when it comes to the acceptance of homosexuals and now, with the rise of the movement for transgender rights, the issue has become more relevant than ever. Throughout the entire world, people who openly identify as homosexual and/or transgender have been ruthlessly attacked and persecuted by members of society. This is due to the growing stigma that being homosexual or transgender is not normal, and this belief is due to the religious teaching that pleasures like intercourse and marriage should only be between a man and a woman, and no one else. India is no stranger to this, most notably the passing of Section 377, a ban criminalizing the act of intercourse between same-sex couples, and preventing a same-sex couple from getting married. On top of that, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen to remain silent on the issue of LGBTQ+ rights.

Although India has passed controversial legislation in the past, we have been making steps towards a new, more progressive era under the BJP, even though the party has chosen to remain silent. They have struck down Section 377 and decriminalized same-sex intercourse and are currently working towards the legalization of same-sex marriage, with the Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, stating "The LGBT Community has same rights as of any ordinary citizen. Respect for each other's rights, and others are supreme humanity. Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible". Even though India has been making crucial steps to eliminate the stigma, there are still countries throughout the world that still have these kinds of bans. Some countries have laws that ban homosexuality, with the punishment being death. Other countries even allow conversion therapy, a method of attempting to change one's sexuality via psychological or spiritual interventions, which has been call a "violation of the principle of justice" by Suruvi Patra, a doctor in India. This kind of action is unacceptable and we need to make some sort of change to it, if anything set some sort of system of standards and regulations to prevent any further matters of conflict.

India proposes that we form a resolution that establishes a spectrum which would illustrate for every nation what would constitute as a hate crime and what would be considered legal under international law. This spectrum would apply to all nations and they would have to base their laws on LGBTQ+ rights around it. If a country were to go against the precedents the spectrum will have set, they will receive sanctions, while on the other hand, countries that were to follow the precedents set by the spectrum would receive some sort of benefit, whether it be monetary or of some other value. As a nation, India would like to make some sort of change to aid in the progression LGBTQ+ peoples and to help educate the world on the matters at hand.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Indonesia
Delegate Name: Elena Kelbley
School: Forest Hills Central High School

The Republic of Indonesia is aware that there is potential for progress to be made in the treatment of LGBT citizens. In Aceh, the largest province by population, and the only one that implements Sharia, homosexuality is considered illegal. As a predominantly Muslim country, it is unsurprising that this is generally accepted nationwide.

Indonesia recognizes the necessity of those members of the LGBT community who have undergone gender reassignment surgery having the ability to change their gender maker on all legal documents to the opposite binary option. In repealing a job notice that did not allow LGBT applicants, the Attorney General’s Office has demonstrated how it wishes to destigmatize this group, especially as the notice had described homosexuality as a mental illness.

The impact of the HIV crisis on has also been noted as significantly problematic to this group. Approximately 25% of both homosexual and transgender populations are reported to have the virus. After an ASEAN conference aimed at addressing the epidemic, the Republic of Indonesia vowed to “Ensure that national prevention strategies comprehensively target populations at higher risk, such as people who use drugs, sex workers, and men having sex with men, including transgender people, and that systems of data collection and analysis about these populations are strengthened;”

In this committee Indonesia hopes to be able to develop solutions to the problems of the LGBT community in the world with respect to long-established cultural and religious practices. Unfortunately, the stability of society as a whole cannot be jeopardized for a small portion of the population. Hopefully these complex issues can be resolved with international cooperation and understanding.

Sources: http://www.equaldex.com/region/indonesia https://www.kemlu.go.id/ptri-asean/Majalah/ASEAN%20DOCUMENTS%20SERIES%202011.pdf#search=transgender http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2014/october/20141027pcbindonesia

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: William Bellinger
School: Williamston High School

For centuries upon centuries, LGBT rights has been a global challenge that has only recently gained strong public support and endorsements. Over the course of humanity, homosexual and other nontraditional acts had been punished in many cruel and inhumane ways such as castration, dismemberment, burning, stoning, and more. As time went on society shifted from favoring punishment to favoring “therapy.” These supposed therapies contain methods such as electroshock therapy, hypnosis, forced heterosextual actions, etc. These therapies usually only caused harm and resulted in few conversions, only confusion and depression. As the cruelty of these actions were gradually brought to light, many became aggravated with societies across the globe. The changes the LGBT movement had pushed for had remained fairly stagnant until the turn of the 20th century when new rulings had finally begun forming and being put into effect. One major victory for the LGBT movement was the recognition of nonheterosexual acts and feelings as a possible healthy brain function. Homosexuality had been viewed by most as a mental disability by many for the centuries prior to the awakening of the LGBT movement. Currently the LGBT movement has continued to rapidly gain speed on a global scale working to gain equality and end discrimination. As many know, the rights of women, and even more so those of the LGBT community, are discriminated greatly in the Middle East. Israel, being front and center in the Middle East, is rather progressive on this topic. Israel has fairly recently passed multiple pieces of legislation focused on the rights of LGBT the community. One strong victory for the LGBT community is the possibility for nonheterosexual couples to adopt the other children under certain circumstances. This was made possible after a ruling in 2005 by the Israeli Supreme Court. Another victory for the LGBT Community came about fairly recently pertaining to citizenship of Israeli non heterosexual couples. On December 8, 2016 Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit had announced that the naturalization process would be applied the same for both heterosexual and nonheterosexual couples, taking approximately four years for full citizenship. Similar caliber wins for the LGBT community have been frequent allowing for Israel to hold and hopefully raise its rank as the 7th happiest place for gay men to live according to the Gay Happiness Index. Israel having one of the most supportive governments of the LGBT movement in the Middle East as well as being a highly ranked leader in the Eastern Hemisphere is willing to help the LGBT communities elsewhere. The current condition of the LGBT movement in Israel is strong allowing for our base to work towards expansion of rights especially for our neighboring nations. Considering many of our neighboring nations are very opposed to the LGBT movement, it will be a challenging, but not impossible, integration of the movement into their society. Israel is willing to contribute financially in instances and is more than willing to supply human help to those in need. Alongside this is the thorough self-support found throughout the LGBT community making human resources more abundant than not. Israel is very open to this topic and is more than willing to aid in the fight against discrimination.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Italy
Delegate Name: Jill Pierangeli
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

The topic of LGBT rights has been discussed in the UN in 2008 and 2011, resulting in resolutions calling for equitable ages of consent, laws against discriminatory practices, and dissuading the criminalization of homosexualality. Italy has been in support of these resolutions and has put in place the suggested laws. LGBT rights are important to address in today’s society with the growing numbers of LGBT persons. These people are struggling and even dying in countries that offer them no rights and this needs to be remedied by the United Nations.

As a heavily Christian and Catholic country, Italy has not been the most friendly to the LGBT community in the past, but recently has been granting more rights and offering more support. The president, Sergio Mattarella, has passed the law to legalize civil unions in 2016, granting same-sex partnerships property rights, inheritance rights, and social security. Italy also practices laws banning employment discrimination of sexual orientation, however no other anti-discrimination laws have been passed nationally. Some regions, like Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, and Umbria, have added anti-discrimination laws in the areas of education, hate crimes, and public services, which are recognized by the Constitutional Court. Italian law does not permit same-sex marriage, however some courts have allowed adoption in cases of single parents, joint adoptions, or step-child adoptions. A lesbian marriage of two French women was also allowed by the Italian Supreme Court in 2017. While the Italian government is fairly divided on the issue of LGBT rights, the majority support the community as well as the majority of Italian citizens.

Italy proposes that the UN encourages countries to legalize homosexuality and protect the rights of LGBT individuals. Italy is currently working on furthering LGBT rights and recommends other countries do so as well. Workplace discrimination should be addressed by the committee in order to ensure employment rights for all sexualitites. A resolution banning discrimination based on sexual orientation would benefit the world and be supported by Italy; however, the UN should respect national sovereignty and religious views.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Noah Zazula
School: Vicksburg High School

Although the great nation of Japan has looked the other way when it comes to homosexual relationships, legislatively, members of the LGBT community remain unprotected. Citizens have been allowed to reassign themselves since 2003, while under the agreement that they undergo sterilization, and do not have any children under 20 years of age. Citizens that are members of these communities are allowed to live their own lives, as long as they follow the laws of our nation, and keep to themselves. There are celebrities that are members of the LGBT community, such as Haruna Ai, Kayo Satoh, Matsuko Deluxe, and Ataru Nakamura. These people are not persecuted, nor are they limited by the government, and they are allowed to live their lives independently. Same-sex couples are not protected under legislation, nor are they able to marry. These couples can have romantic relationships, and even live together. However, they cannot have, surrogate, or adopt children whatsoever. Japan believes that this is fair treatment, although cities like Tokyo have implemented anti-discrimination laws, which may be setting a future precedent in Japan. Japan, as a nation, and legislatively, is indifferent to these LGBT community members, and will not specifically persecute these citizens, but they will also not be protected under the legislature of this nation for the time being. Japan is always open to progressing into the bright future of equality ahead, and giving the citizens of this nation full legal equality is a goal that many politicians, executives, and citizens hope to pass in the future.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Mexico
Delegate Name: Megan Hearn
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

The rights of sexually diverse people have been a vital topic internationally. Misunderstanding the rights of humans causes political tension amongst nations. Violence occurs against people with a different sexual orientation due to the non-accepting communities and lifestyles, in which many people live. Globally, people with a different sexual orientation possess fear due to the violence that occurs. Religion is a key reason that people are unaccepting of others with different sexual preferences. The number of countries that allow homosexual acts between consenting adults is 124. The rights of humans should be portrayed in this number but it is not. In order for there to be global peace regarding in sexual orientation, the United Nations needs to clearly state the correct option of allowing such orientation. Furthermore, the United Nations would have the best success with the allowance of different sexual orientations to occur internationally.

Religion, the main component that has made sexual orientation an issue in Mexico and many other nations. Religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam it is considered “sinful” to participate in these acts. Mexico decided to become accepting of sexually diverse people, discriminatory actions are unacceptable in Mexico. Allowing people to express themselves becomes animating in Mexico. In 2015 it became illegal to ban same-sex marriage in Mexico. Nationally they have improved the lives of different sexual oriented people by allowing spirit parades, same-sex marriage, as well as passing laws against hate and violent actions. Mexico has helped improve the lives of sexually diverse people by allowing it to be globally known that politically they are in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Mexico recognizes the need for acceptance. Adoption of same-sex marriage has been legalized.

Mexico proposes that the United Nations urges all countries to become more lawfully accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. Discriminatory acts not being resolved internationally result in tension and feuds between countries. All nations should lawfully accept the allowance of homosexual acts. The Human Rights committee is meant to recognize the importance of all people. To become politically stable on the allowance of different sexually oriented people, all countries in the UN should pass laws. Mainly of acceptance, as well as punishment for hateful crimes directed towards the LGBTQ+ community.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Moldova
Delegate Name: Isabella Beckhorn
School: Williamston High School

LGBT rights are a very controversial subject. It ignites passion in an individual's beliefs. In the last couple of years, the LGBT community has experienced a significant amount of backlash. The backlash has been in the form of words and violence. People who discriminate against the LGBT community cite both religious and political beliefs, which is a dangerous combination. It impacts individuals of all ages, races and, sex. In some cases, these individuals have been given cruel punishments carried out by the government or in some cases family members. Some countries don’t have punishments for discrimination and don’t protect the LGBT community, basically permitting discrimination. Is there a place for these people to live without worry of being threatened or attacked?

In Moldova, couples of the same sex may not have the same rights as non-LGBT couples. Moldova has banned discrimination against any person in the workplace. In 2002 Moldova had its first pride parade, which allows the LGBT community to come together and celebrate their beliefs. Since then, they have tried to hold additional parades. However, most of these parades were canceled or even banned because of radicals and stiff government leaders. The Moldovan community remains biased and discrimination and violence against LGBT people is still a common occurrence. Most of the backlash is from political leaders. In 2017 a pride parade was organized, the day before the parade, it was shut down by the government for “safety” reasons. The President of Moldova later congratulated the radicals that attacked some activists.

Moldova does not support the idea of LGBT rights. Given the current political composition and Moldovan long-standing religious beliefs, LGBT acceptance is highly unlikely in the country anytime soon. Moldova does not support equal rights because it undermines their Christian beliefs. Moldova shares its beliefs with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Netherlands
Delegate Name: Lily Kappa
School: Roeper School

Members of the LGBT community have been discriminated against for years, but in this modern age, where acceptance is often expected of a nation and reforms are made at rapid speed, it is imperative that the nations work together to quickly establish what seems to be a necessary right for their citizens. Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender should not be tolerated by any nation, although same sex couples are not legal in 74 countries as of May 2016. By preserving the rights of LGBT citizens, a nation is simply granting their citizens the rights that everyone deserves and adapting to the current modern times.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands acknowledges that, although not everyone in our nation agrees with and supports the LGBT community, Netherlands can be considered a very progressive nation on the matter and can be used as a model for other nations who might not be as supportive. A study has shown that about 85% of our population supports same sex marriage. By working cooperatively with other nations, the UN can work to properly establish progressive nations in an effective and inclusive manner.

Religion plays a major role in the opinions of LGBT rights for thousands of people around the world as a progressive stance on LGBT rights is not often taken by many religions. This is a frequent point made by those arguing against the establishment of equal rights for LGBT community members and a main reason for opposition. The Netherlands is about 50% non-religious, which has enabled it to provide a safe space for all genders and sexual orientation. It is recognized that many nations are restricting these rights due to their official religion, and it is key to find a way to ensure equal rights despite this very viable point. The Netherlands can help to find a way to work with these nations and reach a compromise. Representatives from the Netherlands could provide LGBT awareness conferences, working with countries whose religious views may not allow an open mind. Classes and lectures could be provided to allow the citizens to understand why gay marriage should not be punishable by death, like in Yemen, and why gender fluidity is a necessary part of our modern society.

Siobhan Fenton @siobhanfenton. “The 74 Countries Where It's Illegal to Be Gay.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 17 May 2016, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html. “Enquête Sur La Droitisation Des Opinions Publiques Européennes.” IFOP, www.ifop.com/publication/enquete-sur-la-droitisation-des-opinions-publiques-europeennes/. “The World Factbook: AUSTRIA.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 7 Nov. 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/au.html. Bearak, Max, and Darla Cameron. “Here Are the 10 Countries Where Homosexuality May Be Punished by Death.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 16 June 2016, www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/?utm_term=.d174cc3c6dbd.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Caleb Jeffery Greene
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

The topic of LGBT rights is important for the Human Rights Committee to address. Homosexuality–with gender identity becoming a major topic in recent years–has been one of the most controversial topics in human history. People of the LGBT community have long been persecuted in many countries around the world. The Human Rights Committee should address LGBT rights because it is an issue that is very controversial; however, the United Nations needs to respect cultural traditions and the views of the general people of Pakistan: homosexuality and gender identity are not accepted due to centuries of culture influenced by Islam and the Islamic Empires. The Koran, which is the Holy Book of Islam and governs many societal aspects of Pakistan, states that any homosexuality is a sin. Although Pakistan's government does not govern with Islam as a key factor, Islam still plays a pivotal role. To truly understand Pakistan’s position on LGBT matters, one must look at its history and society.

In the grand scale of issues in Pakistan, LGBT rights has not been a front runner. Pakistan has been plagued with war and poverty. LGBT rights would probably not have been a big issue if Western countries had not pushed it upon Pakistan. The Penal Code of 1860 criminalized same-sex relations, thus prohibiting homosexuality. Same-sex acts remained illegal after Pakistan’s independence in 1947. The Hudood Ordinances were enacted in 1977 and implement strict punishments for homosexuality. The Constitution of Pakistan does not mention sexual orientation and gender identity; however, Part II 37 states that the government pledges to promote Islamic values among its Muslim citizens, to protect marriage and the family and to oppose obscenity. Essentially, because the government holds Islamic values, homosexuality would not be accepted. Part IX 227 states that Islam is the official state religion, and all laws, rules, regulations and other such legislation must be compatible with Islam, as defined by a government appointed Islamic council. Members of the LGBT, weather it be sexual orientation and gender identity issues, are not tolerated. However, Pakistan is moving towards more rights for the LGBT. Hina Jilani, Chair of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and former Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Human Rights Council said “it was very important to emphasize that a serious obstacle was the persistent denial of protection for people from violence on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity” (Jilani). The Pakistan Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that the government should work to protect transgenders from discrimination and harassment. The court then ordered the full recognition of transgender rights in 2010. Then, in 2017, the Lahore High Court ordered the Government to include transgender people in the national census. In 2018, the Transgender Person (Protection of Rights) Act 2018 was passed; Pakistanis may choose to self-identify as male, female, both or neither.

Based on the information above, Pakistan recommends that the Human Rights Council move towards increasing the rights of LGBT peoples, but also making sure that the United Nations is respecting cultural traditions of the Islamic people of Pakistan. Pakistan would like to work towards creating a resolution in which Pakistan can protect the rights of all its peoples and still uphold the Islamic values protected under the Pakistan Constitution.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Peru
Delegate Name: Thomas Droste
School: Grand Rapids City High School

This topic of discussion for the Human Rights Council has come into major play the last few years, with LGBT rights becoming a major social front following millenia of oppression and ostracizing.This is especially important because LGBT people face higher rates of discrimination than those of other sexual orientations, and their oppressions have included everything ranging from exclusion to imprisonment to attempted genocide. The UN has historically not outspoken much on the topic of LGBT issues until the past decade, where it has proclaimed LGBT rights to be an important aspect of human rights in the new era.

Peru reaffirms the status of LGBT people as being integral for human rights. The country of Peru has voted in favor of United Nations LGBT amendments in both 2008 and 2011, reflective of the country being ahead of the curve in allowing LGBT integration in areas such as the military and the medical field, passing anti-discrimination laws as a result. However, the nation still does not have same-sex marriage or recognition of same-sex families or adoption rights. There are, however, proposals in order to change this and include such protections on top of existing ones. This makes Peru a nation in favor of pro-LGBT bills and discussion points in the Human Rights Council and the discussion towards how to better the lives of LGBT people and make the world a safer place for their existence.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Josie Ness
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) face discrimination in many countries. The HRC has adopted several resolutions that protect LGBT persons and their sexual rights. LGBT discrimination takes many forms, including harassment, psychological abuse, physical abuse, assault, rape, and murder. According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), there are currently 72 states in which same-sex sexual relations are severely outlawed. The ILGA determined that 124 States, including the Philippines, levy no legal penalties for consenting same-sex sexual activity between adults in private. Four sovereign states apply the death penalty (ILGA) for homosexuality and two other states apply it under Shari’a law, including Afghanistan, Brunei, and Iran.

Congresswoman Geraldine Roman was the first transgender woman elected to the Philippine Congress. In Silvero v. The Republic of the Philippines, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled that transgender people may not change their name and gender marker on their birth certificates. The Philippines only officially recognizes the gender assigned at birth. The 1932 Revised Penal Code (RPC) does not criminalize consensual same-sex activities between adults. In May 2012, the Department of Education issued DepEd Order No. 40 (the DepEd Child Protection Policy) to protect children in schools from violence, abuse or exploitation regardless of sexual orientation or gender identification. Same-sex couples are not permitted to adopt. As of 2009, LGBT people are allowed to serve in the military. In September of 2017, the House of Representatives passed an anti-discrimination bill protecting LGBT citizens, but the Bill died in the Senate. However, there are many anti-discrimination ordinances at the local government level. The Family code of 1987 was enacted into law by an executive order issued by former president Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. It “defines and limits marriage as between man and woman.” In June of 2018, the Supreme Court heard arguments on a petition seeking to allow same-sex marriage in the Philippines. The results of the case are pending. President Rodrigo Duterte voiced his support for the legalization of same-sex marriage and the protection of the rights of the LGBT community. Because of the Philippines’ 80% Catholic population, he faces great opposition in passing legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. According to the TvT project, the murders of 29 transgender people have been documented in the Philippines since 2008. The UNDP/USAID reported that, in the first half of 2011 alone, there were at least 28 LGBT related killings.

The Philippines does not regard same-sex activities between consenting adults to be a crime and recommends that the United Nations maintains the legality of these actions. The Philippines recognizes the modern need of equality in marriage for same-sex couples and recommends that same-sex marriage is legalized. However, for religious and cultural reasons, the Philippines does not support legal divorce in marriage regardless of the genders involved. The Philippines strongly urges that all individuals are officially recognized by their gender at birth, regardless of the person’s personal gender identity. The Philippines believes in the right to safety for people of all gender identifications and sexual orientations and strongly urges the United Nations to take action to end the persecution and treatment of LGBT people in many Middle Eastern countries by imposing economic sanctions on offending countries.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Poland
Delegate Name: Rebecca Dooley
School: Forest Hills Central High School

The conversation revolving around the group of individuals who associate themselves with the LGBT brand is a tense and often taboo one. Until recently, this group of people had no room within Polish communities due to particularly harsh regimes of the past. As we have since broken free of the chains that previously bound us, we once again find the capacity to recognize the existence of certain minorities and are able to handle them according to what is in their best interest. The Republic of Poland has taken great steps toward protecting sexual minorities and individuals suffering from mental illnesses such as gender dysphoria. There are laws in place that ban employment discrimination and the denial of goods and services due to sexual orientation. These minorities are granted a safe space within society and yet they insist on demanding more and more. The Republic of Poland is of the belief that the members of the LGBT community have been, in all truthfulness, quite brashly displaying the peculiarities of their personal lives to members of the general population. Such subversions to Polish establishments need to be addressed in order to preserve the well-being of all of our people. Over half of our nation agrees with former Deputy Prime Minister Giertych that, "Homosexual propaganda needs to be limited, so children will not have an improper perspective on the family." The LGBT community should most certainly be satisfied with the adequate protections they have been allotted under Polish law; we will not endorse any resolution that champions homosexuality, as this would a direct affront on the very character of Polish people and institutions. The Republic of Poland will not be inclined to look favorably upon papers that encourage the public activity of homosexuals or any other self-identified proponents of the LGBT movement.

Work Cited “From 'Imagined' Homogeneity to Sexual Solidarity: The Struggle Over LGBT Rights in Poland.” Humanity In Action, www.humanityinaction.org/knowledgebase/215-from-imagined-homogeneity-to-sexual-solidarity-the-struggle-over-lgbt-rights-in-poland.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Russia
Delegate Name: Natalie Howard
School: Kalamazoo Central High School

The rights of LGBT people is a highly controversial topic between a variety of countries. The United Nations has tried on multiple occasions to address the complexities of this issue. Unfortunately, due to the moral standards and cultural ideals of many countries, the current solutions proposed by the UN body often fail to tackle the issue as a whole. In order to eliminate rising reports of hate crimes, the Human Rights Council needs to be competent enough to establish a long lasting solution for such a hotly contested issue. With national sovereignty at stake it is questionable if the UNHRC has enough incentive and authority to convince nations to change their religious and moral beliefs regarding LGBT people.

The Russian Federation believes it is of utmost importance that this body respects the national sovereignty of every nation in the committee. The citizens of Russia do not take kindly to the LGBT community. In order to protect the lives of LGBT citizens, Russia officially decriminalized sexual relations between members of the same sex in 1993. As if this measure was not enough, we have also enforced strong policies of “don’t ask dont tell” to protect LGBT citizens throughout the nation. Russia believes that the best way to avoid hostility is if people avoid being upfront about it. The best protection for LGBT people is to remain silent, this ensures that the people of Russia do not feel as though they need to bend their will to the minority, thus avoiding conflict. Attempting to spread the belief that non-traditional relationships should be accepted by the Russian people will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Russia believes that we have done everything we can do to protect the lives of LGBT people within our borders. This call to action by the UNHRC is a threat to our national sovereignty, and challenges beliefs which rest at the foundation of our country. We will not support a resolution which attempts to force nations into accepting individuals who have chosen an nontraditional lifestyle. It is absurd of the United Nations to impose its cultural and religious beliefs onto other states. We look forward to working with like-minded countries to ensure no resolution is passed that threatens the borders of our great nations.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Saudi Arabia
Delegate Name: Rajaa Alhamd
School: Grand Rapids City High School

Saudi Arabia has the right to rule its country independently without being subjected to western nations ideals and policies. This topic instructs nations to let go of their personal beliefs and religions which is against everything that the United Nation stands for. This is a direct result of western discrimination against the religion of Islam and everything it believes . The United Nations should not permit such violation to occur. This trespasses on a country's freedom to sovereign its nation without being pressured to conform to other nation’s philosophy or policies. Individuals in the country have to respect the religion of the country and their inability to do so can not be blamed on Saudi Arabia. If individuals seek to violate or disrespect the basic rules of a country then the nation has the right to punish them and this right should not be allowed to be infringed by the United Nations. Saudi Arabia is not the only country with such principles. Many countries in the middle east and around the world do not want western major powers to write their legislation for them.

If western nations want to pass resolutions based on their own ideals then they can do it collectively together. Western nations justify this violation with high ethical grounds however the United Nations was found on the principle of respect and compromise. For these reasons, Saudi Arabia has never asked Western nations to infringe on their own rights. All the kingdom wants is for these nations to respect Saudi Arabia’s right to govern its own nations and execute the appropriate punishments for individuals who disrespect the country’s valued ideals. If individuals want to violate these ideals they can do it in nations that allow it. For the sake of protecting the freedom of nations to its own political positions, Saudi Arabia urges the human rights committee to not violate Saudi Arabia’s principles.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Somalia
Delegate Name: Tara Porterfield
School: Royal Oak High School

LGBTQ+ rights is a topic that doesn’t need much discussion. People in this community identify as many titles such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and many others. People within the LGBTQ+ community have experienced discrimination, persecution and many other issues. In many countries like Botswana, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, it is illegal to be part of this community.

In many cultures, being in this community is very taboo. Being in this community is also against many religions including the religion of Islam which is very prominent in the country of Somalia. Due to this, it is illegal for people to be in this community in Somalia. Due to the fact that we have been involved in a war on terror since 2009 this hasn’t been the most important issue for us. Western countries such as, the U.S., U.K., France, Canada, have legalized gay marriage and have been pressuring other countries to do so as well. The Republic of Somalia is not in support of of the LGBTQ+ community due to it being against Islam. The people within this community are harmful to the balance of our nation. As stated above, we are already fighting a war against terror within our country, we do not need any more problems added on. This community will harm our government and our children if we are not careful. We already have many laws in place against same sex intercourse such as article 409 of the Somali Penal Code which was introduced in 1973, that makes sexual intercourse with a person of the same sex punishable by imprisonment for three months to three years, there is also Article 410 of the Somali Penal Code which adds an additional security measure that may accompany sentences for homosexual acts, usually coming in the form of police surveillance to prevent "re-offending". In Somalia the executions of people in the LGBTQ+ community are tolerated due to the fact that they are against god's will and the law of the land.

Due to the fact that we are not in direct violation of any official U.N. Documents, we do not see fit to change how things are run. However, people within the LGBTQ+ community are in direct violation of many laws, made by man and by god. Therefore they shouldn’t be protected by any new laws.

In conclusion, this topic isn’t an important issue due to the fact that people in the LGBTQ+ community are criminals and deserve to be treated as such. They are criminals and they do not deserve protection

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Christine Huynh
School: Forest Hills Northern High School

The need to recognize the rights of LGBT people is becoming increasingly important. As of 2018, there are 73 countries where homosexual activity is rendered illegal and are criminalized for their own beliefs and values. Currently, 8 countries apply the death penalty to those that are homosexual. Although select nations have shown decriminalization, they still face ongoing violence and discrimination every day according to Amnesty International including imprisonment, rape, and other brutal actions.

South Africa’s Apartheid regime in which lasted from 1948-1994 was a great travesty of the nation. This oppressive government believed in a uniform society with the same ideologies and believed obtainment of a utopia would be possible only by control. The Immorality Act of 1957 established that those who don’t follow criteria of Afrikaner culture would be altogether a completely different, restricted and illegal race. However, reaching the 1970s and 1980s, the autocratic government’s control on South Africa’s nation became more isolated and South Africa became gaining their independence. There was immense spreading and strengthening of LGBT movements and gay rights groups, including Post-apartheid legislations passed in favor of LGBT peoples. Sexual freedom was included as a fundamental right in South Africa’s new constitution: “No person shall be unfairly discriminated…on one or more of the following grounds…colour, sexual orientation…” (Sanders, 1997: 105). South Africa passed the 1998 Employment Equity Act that ensured that employers could not discriminate employees based on sexual orientation. Another important legislation passed was the Union Bill on December 1, 2006, which legalized same-sex marriage, making South Africa the first African nation to do this. In parallel to the world, homophobia and discrimination still persist in South Africa, further proving the need for government protection from discrimination.

The response from the government of South Africa to the right of persons and past state-enforced discrimination and exclusion in May of 2015 is as follows: “(3) The State may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth. (4) No persons may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds in terms of subsection (3). National legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination”.South Africa calls for the end to this violence and discrimination; to uphold the unalienable rights of all, and de-criminalize, ban discrimination and educate the public. South Africa urges the focus of this debate on the rights of individuals and the authoritative implementation of protection of LGBT peoples rights and beliefs. International law is to protect the rights of everyone. There must be implementation and protection of the rights of the LGBT community.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: South Korea
Delegate Name: Veronica Gilbert
School: Grand Rapids City High School

Homosexuality has never been a question of legality for South Koreans. South Korea firmly believes in allowing for same-sex relationships, however, marriage, legal practices, or any other form of civil unions for same-sex couples are not and will not be available for South Korean citizens. Additionally, within Article 31 of the National Human Rights Commission Act it states that in South Korea “no individual is to discriminated against for on the basis of his or her sexual orientation”.The National Human Rights of Korea furter stands to eliminate practice of LGBT discrimination by conducting investigations on such acts and recommend non-binding relief measures, disciplinary actions or report them to the authorities, however, South Korea can not issue to the delegation that discriminatory acts that are based on race and gender will be investigated. It is solely up to the jurisdiction of The National Human Rights of Korea council.

With regards to the transgender population in South Korea our nations permits these individuals access to sex reassignment surgeries once they are over the age of twenty years old, single, and without children. If they meet all of these requirements individual will also be able to change any legal documentation that pertains to gender status. South Korea’s main goal at this conference is to overcome discrimination against LGBT people, if it does not violate the nations most fundamental beliefs. With regards to the youth of South Korea, North Jeolla Province has enacted an ordinance to help protect “gender minorities”.

For all South Korean (born) male citizens it is mandatory for them to do military service, hence, if the individual is homosexual during the time of the military examination they will be categorized as having a “personality disorder” or “behavioral disorder”, and the individual can be institutionalized and/or honorably discharged. Many of these individuals will be recommended conversion therapy.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Sweden
Delegate Name: Aneesa Berner
School: East Grand Rapids High School

LGBT Rights is a rapidly growing topic around the World as LGBT rights are widely accepted by some countries while ignored by others. Often times people in these countries feel that granting rights to this group would go against the country’s established religion or the widespread belief of their citizens. There are 72 countries which still consider homosexuality unlawful, and punishable by law. People in these countries can face imprisonment, deportation, fines, or even the death penalty. Although some countries have recognized the rights of LGBT communities, this group still faces tremendous amount of discrimination from countries all over the world. It is important for the Human Rights Council to protect the rights of the LGBT Community and help to insure the humane treatment of all people world wide, no matter their sexuality.

Sweden is a prominent figure in furthering the rights of the LGBT community. Through legislation and amending the constitution, Sweden has created a country in which no one is afraid to be themselves. Sweden legalized homosexual relations in 1944 and in 1972 was the first country to legally allow a citizen to have a gender change. Furthermore, Sweden recognizes the rights to be married and the right to adopt a child for all couples, no matter the sexual orientation. Most recently in 2011, Sweden amended its constitution to include prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation. This is extremely important has many countries have yet to establish sexual orientation as a group that is protected from discrimination. Sweden has continually been on the forefront for granting rights to LGBT communities being the seventh country in the world to grant marriage rights.

Sweden acts as a beacon of hope for those in the LGBT community and a role model for other countries that strive to protect citizens’ rights. Therefore, Sweden would like to see greater protection of those in the LGBT community and a world-wide recognition of rights for this group. Although previous resolutions have been made to protect this group, Sweden hopes that all countries would do a better job to recognize the past resolutions created. For example, the resolution of 2016, which “strongly deplores acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world, committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” More should be done to insure that violence is not committed against people of the LGBT community.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Syria
Delegate Name: Athena Barrer
School: Royal Oak High School

The country of Syria has given members of the LGBT community adequate rights. The people of Syria and the majority of the Middle East region have a strong belief in their Muslim Faith. This belief has been prominent in Syria ever since we gained our independence in 1946. Western imperialism has been interfering with these beliefs and trying to influence our culture for over a century. Current uprisings have caused the Western culture to steal resources from the Middle East, as well as attempt to colonize our nations and force their beliefs of modernizing and expanding the acceptance and openness of the LGBT community upon us at a rapid pace.

The Syrian Civil War has stopped any advancements in expanding LGBT rights in Syria. Syria has been dealing with terrorism and rebel forces for eight years. Along with what we previously stated, the West has been supplying rebel groups with weapons to destabilize our country and try to overthrow our goal-oriented government. The war has brought upon many societal challenges which include providing for our people and keeping them alive. Our biggest concern, as of right now, is keeping our people safe and trying to end the conflicts that have been a straining issue for so long. Ending the war is our highest priority and will remain our primary focus for years to come.

Syria has provided fundamental health services to the LGBT community. One way Syria has provided for the LGBT community is the expansion of medical centers in Syria where HIV testing can be done and is encouraged. Along with the advancement of HIV testing, schools in Syria have started raising awareness for HIV and AIDS and are educating the youth on the serious effects of these diseases. The Human Rights Council should look to support increasing funding for HIV and AIDS education so we can continue to cultivate this cause internationally.

The Western culture has its own beliefs regarding the acceptance and openness of the LGBT community. The Syrian Government has its own legal system challenges at the moment and would not like the influence of the Western culture to afflict on our own, personal domestic affairs. Syria believes countries should be able to develop their beliefs at their own pace without any demanding influence. The Human Rights Council should focus on allowing each individual country to give the LGBT community rights based on their own legal system. If we try to force all nations to change their cultural beliefs, it will further inflame communities to act out against the LGBT community and against the United Nations. Conflict is destined to arise if nations are forced to have a certain opinion on this issue.

We look forward to working with fellow committee members along with our allies in the Middle East and elsewhere to advocate for our culture and citizens. The United Nations was founded on world unity, not world division. Through our focus on this unity, we plan to have a constructive and collaborative debate for the advancement of all nations and peoples.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Uganda
Delegate Name: Catherine Hwang
School: Forest Hills Northern High School

The issue regarding LGBT rights has been a global, controversial topic for many years. Especially in these past several decades, gender identity has become a prominent topic that has brought great disagreement among people politically and socially. Although some countries have accepted the rights of the LGBT community, several other countries are continuing to prosecute individuals who fall into the LGBT category. With the increase of LGBT persons in our society, the UN is continuing to address this concern. In 2011, the U.N. commissioned the first study focused on this controversial topic and in 2011, passing a wide-ranging resolution on human rights. However, when addressing this current issue, the religion, history, and cultural traditions of certain countries should be taken into consideration.

During the pre-European Ugandan society, the presence of male homosexuality was common in the country. Since the 19th century, when the country was put under British colonial rule, Uganda has been recognized to refuse acknowledgment of LGBT rights from an official and public standpoint. During this time, laws regarding the punishment of homosexuals were first introduced by the British empire and later preserved in the Penal Code Act of 1950. These laws claimed that actions of individuals of the LGBT community are deemed “unnatural” and they should be imprisoned for life, taking place of the previous death penalty. After Uganda had gained their independence, these laws were kept intact and became part of the Ugandan society, contributing to the homophobia in the population. Individuals part of the LGBT community, therefore, fell under the name of minorities. Furthermore, the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009 emphasized the country’s intolerance towards the LGBT community. Uganda believes that it is illegal to engage in homosexual acts and this behavior is unacceptable in its society. There is strong resistance from religious leaders as well as anti-gay advocates who argue that behaviors of individuals belonging to the LGBT community are threatening traditional African family values and should not deserve to be present in a predominantly Christian nation.

Uganda is not ready for a full commitment to getting rid of punishments on the LGBT community for their behavior that is held against the standards of Ugandan society. Uganda acknowledges that other countries may have differing opinions regarding the rights of these individuals. But Uganda suggests that the nations in this committee take traditional and cultural differences into consideration, for Uganda and its old traditional values have greatly impacted their views on this matter. Uganda will be willing to take a slow approach to begin granting rights to the LGBT community, but will not agree to a resolution proposing immediate granting.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: United Arab Emirates
Delegate Name: Arjun Singh
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

The topic of LGBT rights is not something that deserves to be discussed at the Human Rights Committee. Each nation has its own right to national sovereignty and the UAE refuses to treat anyone differently because some other entity wants us to. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) believes each country has the right to do as they please with their citizens and denying them the ability to do so stands against the core beliefs of the United Nations. The UAE refuses to conform to Western pressure towards an ideology that counters our beliefs set by the Quran. Sharia law and civil law in the UAE has criminalized homosexuality. The UAE has not interfered with disgraceful western beliefs so other nations have no right to interfere with our beliefs.

As previously alluded at, the UAE utilizes the Quran and Islam-in the form of Sharia law as the moral guideline on how citizens should be treated. There is and there will be no exception for homosexuality as the UAE believes any of the previously stated blasphemy is directly against God’s will. Article 354 of the Federal Penal Code of the UAE states: "Whoever commits rape on a female or sodomy with a male shall be punished by death." The latter part, however, has never been enacted as it has not been necessary and the citizens believe all forms of sodomy is a sin. Most Emirati citizens do not partake in such acts of blasphemy but many foreigners commit these heinous acts on Emirati soil and will serve jail time and are deported back to there home nation.

The UAE proposes the UN should allow each nation to decide the path of a sensitive issue such as homosexuality. There are many other more important things to be discussed at Human Rights Committee but western nations continue to push their own agenda with no respect for the culture and tradition of nations who share different beliefs than them. The UAE believes that each nation should have the right to decide how the LGBT community within their nation is treated and should not have to change the belief system of the state and the people just because others believe we should.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Emma Ellefson-Frank
School: Williamston High School

LGBTQ rights have long been ignored by many countries; however, this does not mean that it is not an urgent and relative issue. For centuries LGBTQ people have faced discrimination, from lack of education to unequal laws. Not only have they faced discrimination they have also been a target of hate crimes including sexual assault, physical violence, and psychological violence. The first and biggest step taken towards LGBTQ rights was in 2011, when the UN passed a resolution saying that more research would be done in order to find out the needs of the LGBTQ community. They also expressed concerns about the levels of violence against the LGBTQ community. The UN then had a follow up resolution, passed in 2014, that elaborated on the UDHR and proclaimed that people’s personal freedoms included their sexual and gender identity. A third conference was held by the UN and HRC that passed a resolution stating that every state, regardless of national and cultural preference, should acknowledge the rights of their people equally. This resolution also officially expanded the HRC’s mission to include increasing the rights of LGBTQ people. Even though recent progress has been made to defend LGBTQ people and expand their rights, there is still much more that should, and can, be done by every country in the UN. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the United Kingdom has been passionate about setting the precedent in the area of LGBTQ rights. First of all, the UK was highly supportive of all three resolutions passed by the HRC mentioned above and believes that LGBTQ rights should be increased in all nations, regardless of cultural differences. The first milestone for LGBTQ people in the UK came in 2004 when parliament passed both the Civil Partnership Act and the Gender Recognition Act allowing same sex partnerships (similar to marriage) and the full recognition of transgender people, respectively. In 2018, the government of the UK started their LGBTQ action plan which contains plans for increasing LGBTQ rights in the next 2 years. Some things that were outlined in the action plan were the importance of equal healthcare, education, legal protection, and employment for the LGBTQ community. They plan to do this with the ￡4.2 million fund that will be available until the end of 2020. Also, surveys performed in the UK showed that most LGBTQ people found LGBTQ specific charities extremely helpful in improving rights locally, so the action plan will be working with and supporting LGBTQ charities. Needless to say, the UK believes that the rights of LGBTQ people is an urgent matter and needs to be addressed by this committee immediately. The UK is in firm belief that action must be taken immediately by all countries. However the UK realizes that for some countries change will take longer than others. This is why the UK proposes a plan where in, a system for protecting and increasing the rights of LGBTQ people is custom for each and `every country based on economic status, cultural beliefs, and previous progress in the field. In these systems the UK would like to work on breaking down the stigma around LGBTQ people by working with local religious and political standards to build and cultural understanding. Additionally, the UK would like to focus specifically on increasing equal healthcare rights. This could be done by having hormones, psychiatric help, sexual reassignment surgery, and further counselling be included in government healthcare. For countries that do not have a prominent government healthcare, the UK suggests using traveling clinics to distribute psychiatric care and hormones as well as working with pre-existing charities and NGOs to help more of the LGBTQ community receive proper health care. Also incorporated in these custom systems previously mentioned above, the UK would like to focus on education both to LGBTQ people and to the rest of the community as well. This could include sexual education that includes curriculum targeted towards gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, and gender nonconforming students. Additionally the UK would like to propose a media campaign that would include fliers, posters, brochures and some social media, that would aim at reducing the stigma aroundnd LGBTQ people and correctly educating the rest of the community on LGBTQ health, policy, and issues. In doing this, the UK would look for support from all other countries who voted in favor of the three UN resolutions concerning the treatment of LGBTQ people such as but not limited to: France, Mexico, The Netherlands, Portugal, and South Korea.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Evan Calderon
School: Forest Hills Northern High School

Since the Stonewall Riots in the United States occurred in 1969, the topic of LGBT rights has been a large and hotly debated issue, often being deferred on the basis of religion. Because of this, discrimination against gay or transgender individuals is not uncommon. This can take form in physical or psychological abuse, assault, rape, or murder/execution. This topic has been late to the discussion in the United Nations, with it first being mentioned briefly in the 1990’s. However, in the 2010s, the Human Rights Council adopted three important resolutions that were monumental for LGBT individuals. A 2011 resolution requested a study to be done on the basis of researching and documenting discriminatory laws and the second resolution in 2014 took note of the findings and asked that it be updated. The 2016 resolution was arguably the most impactful. It deplored the act of discrimination on the basis of gender as well as appointed an independent expert to assess the situation at hand, cooperate with states to further improve conditions, and raise awareness about the issue. LGBT rights in the United States of America began in the year 1969 with the gay liberation movement, which had its turning point during the Stonewall Riots. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, many states decriminalized homosexuality and in 2003, the supreme court decriminalized homosexuality in the rest of the country in the landmark Lawrence v. Texas court case. In 2009, President Obama took office and during his presidency, the administration took a progressive stance on LGBT issues such as signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, criticizing Uganda’s and Russia’s anti-gay laws, and the monumental 2015 Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges in which gay marriage was legalized throughout the United States. The United States is very adamant on protecting LGBT individuals from discrimination from hateful foreign ideologies. There are multiple countries which use Sharia law as justification for the executions of homosexuals such as Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This act of discrimination is intolerable, especially when the country’s laws do not specifically outlaw homosexuality yet these executions are being carried out by non-state actors with no government action to stop it, similar to what occurs in Iraq and Nigeria. The United States also believes LGBT individuals should be afforded the same basic freedoms that the rest of the population has, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, without being persecuted. Countries that do not have non-discriminatory laws implemented to protect the LGBT community should create such laws in order to better prevent and combat discrimination as well as protect LGBT individuals. Many countries discriminate LGBT individuals severely due to religious practices and beliefs; however, it is important to realize that discrimination is endangering innocent lives and is excessive. These are important to keep in mind as the committee proceeds with discussion and solutions to solve this issue. This topic should not be taken lightly and the United States will ensure that this committee fulfills its duty of maintaining human rights to the fullest extent.

Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Vietnam
Delegate Name: Vincent Holden
School: Royal Oak High School

The topic of human rights, including LGBT rights, is important for the Human Rights Committee to address. Vietnam has accepted the Human Rights Committee recommendation to enact anti-discrimination laws to address the equality of all of its citizens. The Human Rights Committee should address LGBT rights because it is a human rights issue. However, the United Nations needs to respect cultural traditions and the beliefs of the people of Vietnam. Traditions such as keeping the family lineage intact, and saving face, are important in any recommendation or law that governs our people. The issue of LGBT has lately been thrust into the spotlight due to worldwide events. According to the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), LGBT rights must be included under the basic human rights. In Vietnam, we've recently abolished a ban on same-sex marriage. Homosexuality is not criminalized in Vietnam, and LGBT persons can serve in the military. Based on the information above, Vietnam recommends that the Human Rights Committee discuss LGBT equality. Vietnam would like to work towards creating a resolution in which Vietnam can protect the rights of all its people, while still respecting the beliefs, traditions, and religious diversity of our country.