Statement by Iceland on Protection against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Human Rights Council – 56thsession

Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

Statement by Iceland on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Iceland

20 June 2024

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries.

We reiterate our unwavering support for the work of the Independent Expert and this critical mandate.

Legislation that limits the human rights to freedom of opinion and expression, association, and peaceful assembly due to sexual orientation and gender identity is nothing new. However, recent years have seen an escalation in the number and breadth of constrictive laws. Such laws and practices are in violation of states’ international human rights obligations and have a chilling effect on civil society and the vital work of human rights defenders advocating for the full and equal enjoyment of human rights of LGBTQI+ persons.

Discriminatory restrictions include criminalizing public displays of same-sex affection, adopting policies against comprehensive sexuality education, and refusing to register organizations that work on sexual orientation or gender identity. The proliferation of such policies, which goes hand in hand with a pushback on the human rights of LGBTIQ persons in UN fora, must be countered.

What should states, tech companies and civil society do to ensure online safety for LGBTQI+ persons, in order to safeguard their human rights and protect persons from digital violence and hate speech?

I thank you.