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 | IOM , UNICEF
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 Children’s Fund and the International Organization for Migration.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC , UNOG
Latest report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR
Press briefing: Human rights situation in Gaza and across the occupied Palestinian territory
1
2
1
Press Conferences | UNIDIR
Launch of the Cluster Munition Monitor 2025 report
1
1
1
Press Conferences | WIPO , WMO , OHCHR , UNICEF , UNHCR , WHO
Michele Zaccheo, Chief, UNTV, Radio and Webcast Section, United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization, World Meteorological Organization, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC
A high-level independent rights probe into the Sudan crisis on Tuesday condemned the many grave crimes committed against civilians by all parties to the war, citing disturbing evidence indicating that they had been “deliberately targeted, displaced and starved”.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | IFRC , OCHA , WHO , IOM , UNICEF
Alessandra Vellucci of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization, UN Women, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the International Federation of the Red Cross.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | IFRC , OHCHR
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives from the International Organization for Migration, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Meteorological Organization, the World Health Organization, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
2
3
2
Press Conferences | WMO
Launch of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)'s Air Quality and Climate Bulletin 2024.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR
The UN disability rights committee (CRPD) presented the findings of its 33rd session on DPRK, Finland, Kiribati, Maldives and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC
UN Human Rights Council President Ambassador Jürg Lauber briefs the press in Geneva ahead of the Council's 60th session.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OCHA , IFRC , UNHCR , OHCHR , UN WOMEN , UNFPA
Alessandra Vellucci of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women, the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Agency, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the International Federation of the Red Cross.