Illustration: Andrea Estefanía for APC
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APC welcomes the opportunity to present this submission in response to the call for inputs issued by the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (IE SOGI), who will dedicate his thematic report to the 56th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to an exploration of the human rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association, as they relate to protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
This submission was made to highlight and raise alarm about the ongoing violence and discrimination that people of diverse genders and sexualities face, which is a manifestation of historical and structural inequalities in power relations between genders. Violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity not only affect the human rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, but also violate a great part of human rights principles and standards enshrined in international instruments and can constitute violations of
international law.
Although digital platforms have provided tools and channels for sexually and gender-diverse people to connect with each other, violence and discrimination can also be committed, abetted or aggravated, in part or fully, by the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs). Digital technologies increase the amount of violence and discrimination that people of diverse genders and sexualities face. They limit and compromise the rights to freedom of expression and access to information as well as putting people's privacy and well-being at risk. This submission aims to bring attention to these serious challenges and issues that people of diverse genders and sexualities face online.
Read the full submission here.
