UN

Human Rights Council - Panel discussion sexual orientation and Gender Identity- 7 March 2012
Mauritania (on behalf of the Arab Group) Thank you, Madame President. The Arab Group would like to put on record its absolute opposition to the so-called concept of sexual orientation. It confirms its resolute rejection to the forceful imposition of this issue within the human rights framework. On this basis, and as matter of principle, it refuses the debate on this issue as that leads to further discord instead of trying to find common ground for a dialogue that would facilitate the implementation of the mandate of the Council and its governing bodies. Indeed, this undermines the effective response of the Council to human rights issues which is its core mandate. The mandate of the Council does not include the discussion of personal likes and dislikes of individuals. Madame President, the Arab Group would like to recall that this concept, promoted by a group of states, is totally extraneous to the human rights system. It is not mentioned in any shape or form in any text of international human rights treaties or instruments. Therefore it cannot be regarded as a human rights standard. The realization of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly in Article 29, dealing with the duties of individuals towards society, means abiding by the rules that govern the practices of individuals in enjoying their rights and freedoms without affecting the rights and freedoms of others, and the necessity of preserving public morality and order, and the general interest of the community within democratic societies. The Arab Group considers that attempts to impose this controversial concept are indeed attempts to create new and unrecognized rights. This is also a violation of the rights of peoples and communities to practice and enjoy their social and cultural rights. A small category of states tries to impose its own system of values on other states and communities without taking into consideration their own cultural and religious specifications and cultural pluralism. This way of dealing with this issue is a violent challenge to the principles of cultural pluralism and dialogue and a breach of the rights of states and communities to their own well-established system of values. On the other hand, the Arab Group considers that promoting the so-called concept of sexual orientation has very negative effects on social structures, starting with the nucleus, which is the family, the natural and basic unit of every society and which all states and communities have pledged to protect. This is on the basis of our obligation in article 16 of the Universal Declaration to protect this basic unit of life through the realization of the rights of the child, and giving children a healthy and balanced atmosphere for their psychological development. As the world faces numerous urgent human rights challenges, the Arab Group wonders why it is deemed appropriate to give priority to this debate on the so-called concept of sexual orientation, regardless of its legal content and the lack of definition for this concept, instead of dealing with the real priorities at hand. Some states promote this controversial concept only to divert attention from the various forms of discrimination and violence based on race and religion, particularly affecting migrants and Muslims in western countries.

 Finally, the Arab Group once again reiterates its absolute rejection, in content and form, of the imposition of this concept within the international human rights system. It opposes positive discrimination for a single category of people as that is not in line with the universality of human rights or equality. We should not forget the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where we recognize that dignity is inherent in all people, and that promotes equality for all. We hope that this statement will be fully reflected in the records of this meeting. Thank you.