The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Press Conferences | OHCHR
OHCHR Human Rights Committee Press Conference on Brazil, Burundi, Colombia, Cyprus, Lesotho, State of Palestine and Uganda - 26 July 2023
UN Human Rights Committee to present findings on Brazil, Burundi, Colombia,Cyprus, Lesotho, State of Palestine and Uganda
UN calls on Uganda to repeal Anti-Homosexuality Act
Uganda faced renewed calls at the UN on Wednesday to repeal legislation targeting same-sex relationships punishable by the death penalty and long prison sentences.
UN-appointed independent experts from the Human Rights Committee highlighted Uganda’s 2023 Homosexuality Act and voiced deep concern about discrimination and persecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the country.
The independent human rights experts – who monitor international implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - also urged Uganda to address rising levels of hate speech and violence. Their recommendations echoed UN rights chief Volker Türk’s condemnation in March of the African nation’s Homosexuality Act as “probably among the worst of its kind in the world”.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, here’s the panel’s vice-chair, José Santos Pais :
“The grievous sanctions imposed on people that may use this kind of practice is something we can’t understand and which the state party couldn't justify.”
Turning to Brazil, the Human Rights Committee condemned ongoing attacks and killings of indigenous peoples. Of particular concern, conflict over land-division and resource exploitation which puts vulnerable and marginalized communities in danger.
The panel also urged Brazil to uphold indigenous peoples’ rights to own their land.
Speakers:
- Tania María ABDO ROCHOLL - Chair
- José Santos Pais - Vice-Chair
- Carlos Gómez Martínez - Committee member
- Kobauyah Tchamdja Kpatcha - Vice-Chair
See Press Release PDF Document attached.
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Press Conferences | IFRC , WFP , WMO
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations in Iran, the World Food Programme, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Meteorological Organisation, and the International Federation of the Red Cross.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | WHO
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the World Health Organisation, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Meteorological Organisation.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR
Forms of sex-based violence against women and girls, and the concept of consent in relation to violence against women and girls
1
1
1
Press Conferences | UNCTAD
How AI and the digital economy intersect with labor markets, policy gaps, and global equity – Background briefing ahead of Ai for Good Summit
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR
Press conference by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR
Call for Solidarity and Peace: Addressing the Normalization of Violence and Arctic Militarization Risks through Indigenous Peoples’ Examples, Including Insights from the Independent Expert’s Visit to Denmark and Greenland
1
1
1
Press Conferences | ITU , OHCHR , UNCTAD , UNESCO , UNHCR
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Refugee Agency, the International Telecommunication Union, and the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR
Press conference by the Special Rapporteur on the right to health on her report to HRC59 focused on Health and care workers as defenders of the right to health.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | UNOG , UNICEF , WHO , UNHCR , HRC , UNCTAD
Alessandra Vellucci of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of UNICEF, WHO, HRC, UNCTAD, UNHCR
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR
Press conference of the UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression and the UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of peaceful assembly and association
1
1
1
Press Conferences | UNCTAD
Publication of the World Investment Report 2025
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC
Launch of the latest report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel