The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Benedetto Della Vedova, participated in the launch event of the five-year strategy of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC). The Coalition is an international cooperation platform, joined by 42 States, created in 2016 with the aim of protecting and promoting the rights of LGBTI people worldwide. Italy has been a member of the Coalition since its establishment.
“The fight against all forms of discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, is a key commitment of Italy’s and the European Union’s international action to promote human rights” – the Deputy Minister said, adding – “It is also a priority of our current three-year mandate (2019-2021) at the UN Human Rights Council.”
“We are very proud to be part – since its inception – of this Coalition of States that share a commitment to promoting the rights of LGBTI people around the world” – he continued – “Italy is especially focused on the issue of LGBTI rights, both nationally and within the European Union. At the international level, we believe that the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council is a particularly effective tool.”
“At the last session of the UPR in May this year, for example, we made recommendations to six countries to decriminalise consensual same-sex relationships and to combat violence, abuse and discrimination against LGBTI persons.” – Deputy Minister Della Vedova emphasised.
The Deputy Minister also suggested that ERC members initiate a form of coordination and exchange of information on the recommendations to be formulated, within the framework of the upcoming UPR sessions, in order to maintain a high level of attention on violations of LGBTI rights.
