PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON PROTECTION AGAINST VIOLENCE AND

DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER

IDENTITY (SOGI)
24-25 January 2017
Palais des Nations, room XXV
Programme
Objectives:
i.
ii.
iii.

Exchange views with participants on defining the scope of the Independent Experts
work, setting priorities and developing effective strategies;
Discuss possible areas identified by the Independent Expert, highlighting possible
good practices and gaps at the international, regional and national levels;
Offer a platform of dialogue between participants, including facilitating the exchange
of experiences, knowledge, and lessons learned.

TUESDAY 24 January 2017, 10:00-13:00

General segment: Introductory remarks and Overview of the mandate
10:00-10:15: Opening
10:15-10:45: Introduction and overview of the work of the UN Independent Expert on SOGI:
Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn
10:45-13:00: Exchange of views with the UN Independent Expert on SOGI
FOCUSED MEETINGS1
TUESDAY 24 January
2017, 15:00-18:00

WEDNESDAY 25 January
2017, 10:00-13:00

WEDNESDAY 25 January
2017, 14:00-17:00

Consultation with States

representatives

Consultation with United

Nations agencies,
programmes and funds,
regional human rights
mechanisms, and medical
professionals

Consultation with civil

society organisations,
National Human Rights
Institutions, academic
institutions, religious
communities, interfaith
groups, and other interested

1 For each of the three focused meetings, only stakeholders mentioned will be given the opportunity to interact
with the Independent Expert while others will be welcome to attend.

stakeholders

Each of the three focused meetings will revolve around the following two main segments
which are interlinked:
Scope, Priorities and Strategies (1.5 hours)
To ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the mandate, the Independent Expert
intends to design a short- and long-term plan, based on a clear set of goals. Through this
session, the Independent Expert will exchange views with participants on defining the scope
of his work, setting priorities and developing effective strategies.
In this regard, the questions below suggest several possible avenues for discussion:

What is the scope of coverage of the mandate and what are the most urgent and
challenging issues that require the attention of the Independent Expert, including
cross-cutting themes, as well as specific activities, and situations?
What should the Independent Expert aim at accomplishing over the next three years?
How should the Independent Expert achieve these objectives?
What multiple, intersecting and aggravated forms of violence and discrimination
faced by persons on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity should the
Independent Expert cover, in particular?
What are the reflections on the five linchpins mentioned above (i.e. decriminalization;
destigmatization; legal recognition of gender identity; cultural inclusion with genderand-sexual diversity; empathization)? Are there any other considerations to be borne
in mind?

Discussing the five linchpins (1.5 hours)

The Independent Expert has so far identified five areas, interrelated and mutually reinforcing,
that are instrumental in the protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity.
These linchpins are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Decriminalization
Destigmatization
Legal recognition of gender identity
Cultural inclusion with gender-and-sexual diversity
Empathization

Through the sessions, the Independent Expert will exchange views with participants
principally on these areas. For each area, the questions below suggest several discussion
points:

What are the root causes leading to violence and discrimination against persons on the
basis of their SOGI and what are the actions needed to overcome them?
How should the Independent Expert address these issues, especially from the angle of
improved implementation of human rights to protect from violence and discrimination
based on SOGI?
What are the good practices and gaps in law, policy and practice that can be identified
at the international, regional and national levels?
Are there examples of strategies and measures to protect against violence and
discrimination based on SOGI, used successfully at the national level?
Which actors should be involved and how? What are the key areas for dissemination
and cooperation?
***