Vactican position on Sexual Oreintation& Gender identity (2008)
STATEMENT OF THE HOLY SEE
DELEGATION
AT THE 63rd SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE DECLARATION
ON HUMAN RIGHTS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY
(18 DECEMBER 2008)
AT THE 63rd SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE DECLARATION
ON HUMAN RIGHTS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY
(18 DECEMBER 2008)
The Holy See appreciates the attempts made in the statement on human
rights, sexual orientation and gender identity –presented at the UN General
Assembly on 18 December 2008- to condemn all forms of violence against
homosexual persons as well as urge States to take necessary measures to put an
end to all criminal penalties against them.
At the same time, the Holy See
notes that the wording of this statement goes well beyond the
abovementioned and shared intent.
In particular, the categories ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’,
used in the text, find no recognition or clear and agreed definition in
international law. If they had to be taken into consideration in the proclaiming
and implementing of fundamental rights, these would create serious uncertainty
in the law as well as undermine the ability of States to enter into and enforce
new and existing human rights conventions and standards.
Despite the statement’s rightful condemnation of and protection from
all forms of violence against homosexual persons, the document, when considered
in its entirety, goes beyond this goal and instead gives rise to uncertainty in
the law and challenges existing human rights norms.
The Holy See continues to advocate that every sign of unjust discrimination
towards homosexual persons should be avoided and urges States to do away with
criminal penalties against them.
Source:http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/2008/documents/rc_seg-st_20081218_statement-sexual-orientation_en.html
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