UNITED NATIONS — African nations are seeking to initially suspend and then get rid of the first UN independent expert charged with investigating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Botswana’s UN Ambassador Charles Ntwaagae said Friday that African nations want the General Assembly to delay consideration of a Human Rights Council resolution adopted on June 30 that authorized the appointment of an expert to monitor LGBT rights in order to discuss “the legality of the creation of this mandate.”
Ntwaagae told the 193-member world body that a General Assembly resolution introduced by African nations seeking a delay also calls for suspending the activities of the first expert, Vitit Muntarbhorn of Thailand, pending a determination of the legality.
The resolution is expected to be put to a vote on Tuesday.