The UN in Viet Nam is united in diversity and stands in solidarity on this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2023

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for people everywhere to support the right to live free and equal.  In line with his Highest Aspiration: A Call to Action for Human Rights, today we reaffirm the promise of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) – to uphold universal, indivisible and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms for everyone, everywhere.  Our efforts are particularly important this year, as 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the UDHR.

We have come a long way, and yet, equality is not yet within reach, and discrimination and phobias against minority groups persists.  The Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) 2022 shows that the LGBTI community continues to face stigmatization and bias.  Moreover, LGBTI persons face restrictions in accessing education, employment, housing, healthcare and other social services. 

Viet Nam supported several recommendations on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).  We strongly support reporting on the implementation of recommendations on LGBTI in the 4th cycle of the UPR that is underway this year in consultation with the LGBTI community organizations.  Making improvements to the rights of LGBTI persons and organizations will also lead to accelerating progress in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The UN in Viet Nam is committed to accelerating progress through promotion of laws, policies, budgets, and institutions that ensure human rights for all and advancing equality..  Towards this positive change, focus should be placed on the adoption of the Gender Affirmation Law that puts the principle of self-determination at the center. Actions include developing comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, amending the Gender Equality Law to broaden the scope of the legal definition of “gender” to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and strengthening the Marriage and Family Law.

Let us unite to create this change.  Nothing about us without us calls for meaningful participation and leadership of LGBTI persons in policy development that affects their lives. Only then can everyone enjoy the right to live free and equal.