HRC62 - JST - Group of Friends of the mandate of the IE on SOGI

Human Rights Council – 62nd Session
Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Joint Statement by the Group of Friends of the Mandate of the Independent Expert on SOGI delivered by Iceland
18 June 2026

President,

I am honoured to deliver this joint statement on behalf of the members of the Group of Friends of the Mandate of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

The mandate continues to contribute to advancing equality for all in a meaningful and constructive manner and we welcome the presentation of the thematic report and its recommendations today.

Unfortunately, we continue to see widespread and systematic violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. As shared in the report, lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women are largely absent from official data which leads to gaps in policy, programming and law. [This invisibility can also contribute to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, further deepening inequalities and exclusion].

Despite advances in access to rights both for women and LGBT+ persons, LBQ women experience systematic violations and abuses of their rights, such as rights relating to health, property, inheritance, freedom of movement, access to justice and to family life. These violations do not happen in a vacuum; they occur across diverse contexts globally [and are rooted in persistent constraints on women’s autonomy and equal access to rights].

International human rights law provides clear protections for all women, including LBQ women. We call on everyone to uphold international human rights obligations and ensure inclusive, rights-based responses to better protect persons subjected to violence and discrimination on the bases of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity.

I thank you.