Washington: US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton has welcomed the statement of UN Human Rights Commission that human rights apply to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
This is a historic moment, Clinton said in a statement after 85 countries from every region of the world joined together to issue this statement.
Arguing that gay rights are human rights and human rights
are gay rights, Clinton said US will continue to promote human
rights around the world for all people who are marginalized
and face discrimination because of sexual orientation or
gender identity.
"We will not rest until every man, woman and child is
able to live up to his or her potential free from persecution
or discrimination of any kind," she said.
US, along with Colombia and Slovenia, took a leading role
on this statement along with over 30 co-sponsors.
Countries around the world participated including many
that had never supported such efforts.
"We hope that even more countries will step up, sign on
to the statement and signal their support for universal human
rights," she said.
This statement is an example of America`s commitment to
human rights through dialogue, open discussion and frank
conversation with countries we don’t always agree with on
every issue, Clinton said.
"In Geneva, our conversations about the human rights of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals with
countries where sexual orientation is not only stigmatized,
but criminalized, are helping to advance a broader and deeper
global dialogue about these issues," she said.
Earlier in a statement, the White House said that US
President Barack Obama, is proud of the work that the US has
done to build international consensus on this critical issue
and is committed to continuing its determined efforts to
advance the human rights of all people, regardless of their
sexual orientation or gender identity.
PTI
