Late last week, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) voted to appoint an independent expert to protect the rights of LGBT people around the world.
Out of the 47-nation council, 23 members voted in favor of the mandate, including Vietnam, reports Asian Correspondent. Among the council's Asian members, just three countries – Vietnam, South Korea and Mongolia – opted to back the proposed watchdog for LGBT rights. The remaining supporters hail from Europe and Latin America.
Six nations abstained from the vote, including India and the Philippines, while 18 nations voted against the proposal, including China.
The new UNHRC independent monitor will work toward identifying the causes of violence and discrimination against LGBT communities around the world and liaising with national governments in order to protect LGBT citizens.
An expert will be appointed to this post in September and serve a three-year term, in which he or she will visit member countries and discuss individual cases of violence and discrimination with national governments.
[Photo via Viet Pride]
