IRANTI  URGES  SOUTH  AFRICA  GOVERNMENT  AND  MINISTER  OF INTERNATIONAL   RELATIONS  AND  COOPERATION  TO  SUPPORT  THE RENEWAL  OF  THE  MANDATE  OF   THE  UNITED  NATIONS INDEPENDENT  EXPERT  ON  PROTECTION  AGAINST  VIOLENCE   AND DISCRIMINATION  BASED  ON  SEXUAL  ORIENTATION  AND  GENDER IDENTITY      

1.   On  11  -­12  July  2019,  the  United  Nation  Human  Rights  Council  at  the  41st  session  will   be  asked  to  renew  the  mandate  of  the  Independent  Expert  on  protection  against   violence  and  discrimination  based  on  Sexual  Orientation  and  Gender  Identity  (IE   SOGI).      

2.   Iranti  supported  the  historic  vote  in  2016  to  pass  a  resolution  that  created  the  first  IE   SOGI.  The  IE  SOGI  is  assigned  to  investigate,  report  and  advise  on  the  realisation  of   human  rights  around  the  world  focusing  on  issues  pertaining  to  sexual  orientation  and   gender  identity.  South  Africa  showed  great  commitment  in  2011  and  2014  in  support   of  the  creation  of  the  IE  SOGI  by  being  a  lead  state  and  co-­sponsor  of  the  SOGI   resolution  as  well  as  voting  in  favour  of  the  resolution.

3.    The  IE  SOGI  has  contributed  significantly  to  improving  the  situation  of  LGBTI+   people  by  conducting  official  visits  to  Argentina,  Georgia,  Mozambique  and  Ukraine,   where  he  engaged  with  various  stakeholders,  including  government  officials,  civil   society,  UN  agencies,  funds  and  programs,  religious  leaders  and  LGBT  people.

4.   The  IE  SOGI  has  also  produced  four  comprehensive  reports  documenting   discrimination  and  violence  on  the  basis  of  SOGI,  welcoming  progress  and  identifying   best  practices  from  all  regions,  as  well  as  highlighting  serious  human  rights  violations   in  order  to  help  States  comply  with  their  obligations  under  international  human  rights   law.

5.   Iranti  strongly  supports  and  advocate  for  the  renewal  of  the  mandate  of  the  IE  SOGI   as  organisation  working  to  advance,  strengthen  and  realise  rights  for  Lesbian,  Gay,   Bisexual,  Transgender  and  Intersex  (LGBTI+)  persons.

6.    Iranti,  in  a  letter  to  the  Minister  of  International  Relations  and  Cooperation,  requests   for  South  Africa  to  provide  continued  leadership  by  voting  in  favour  of  the  mandate,   by  co-­sponsoring  the  resolution  and  delivering  a  statement  at  the  Human  Rights   Council  in  support  of  the  mandate  for  renewal  for  IE  SOGI.       7.   Iranti  believes  this  commitment  from  South  Africa  will  ensure  that  we  live  in  a  country   that  promotes  dignity,  freedom  and  equality  of  all.

For  media  enquiries,  please  contact:
•   Jabulani  Pereira,  Director  

jabu@iranti.org.za

0829575349        

•   Letlhogonolo  Mokgoroane,  Communications  and  Policy  Advisor  

letlhogonolo@iranti.org.za

076  164  8972