UN Human Rights Council - Panel discussion sexual orientation and Gender Identity- 7 March 2012 Argentina on behalf of Mercosur

Thank you very much, Madame president. I am honored to make this statement on behalf of the member states of Mercosur, as well as the associated states Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. We welcome the distinguished panelists and simultaneously would like to thank them for their valuable contributions to the discussion on how this Council can address the issue of tackling discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We cannot forgo this opportunity to recognize the tireless effort and leadership of South Africa which has paved the way for the convening of this panel. The countries of our region are home to a rich cultural, social, political and religious diversity which has taught us down through history the importance of building bridges of dialogue based on the principles of the universality of human rights and non-discrimination in order to be able to tackle significant challenges and realities faced by all societies around the world. There are no exceptions to this. It is on this basis of an understanding of the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights, and in line with our commitment to and obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which affirms freedom, equality and dignity for all human beings in our region, that we have included in a range of spheres on our human rights agenda the issue of tackling discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including by the creation of a sub-working group within the human rights infrastructure of the Mercosur bloc. In all of our countries there exist different legislative and regulatory frameworks on this issue. It is incumbent therefore upon each individual state to decide the scope and amendments required in each of these normative legislative frameworks. Nonetheless, there is a common understanding and agreement between our countries. The fundamental human rights principles are inviolable, and from this perspective acts of violence and discrimination which threaten the life, freedom and personal security of any individual on the basis of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity are unacceptable. Around the world we see acts of violence and discrimination carried out against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, acts which, in dramatic cases, have swept-aside the right to life and human dignity. On the basis of the reality of the situation and in order to address the challenges that many people are faced with on a daily basis we attach the greatest importance to supporting this panel and the way that it can help us tackle violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity at the national, local and community level. Finally, the countries of Mercosur and the associated states believe that the holding of this panel will give us an opportunity to begin the respectful, constructive and positive dialogue which will pave the way for national reflection of this issue. Thank you very much.