MMUN 2018 | UNHRC ​ ​ Issue #02 United Nations Human Rights Council - Background Guide - ​ ​ Topic B Student Officer: Abigail Reyes ​ La Ceiba, Honduras MMUNS 2018 | UNHRC ​ ​ Table of Content Introduction ➢ Welcoming………………………………………………………………………..2 ​ ➢ Committee Background………………………………………………………....3 ​ ➢ Mission Statement……………………………………………………………….3 ​ ➢ Topic Overviews………………………………………………………………....4 ​ Topic B: Balancing religious liberty and LGBTQ+ rights ➢ Background Information……………………………………………………….5 ​ ➢ Background Information……………………………………………………….6 ​ ➢ Timeline of Events………………………………………………………………7 ​ ➢ Current Situation……………………………………………………………….8 ​ ➢ Countries Involved……………………………………………………………...9 ​ ➢ Focus Questions………………………………………………………………...10 ​ ➢ Important Research Links……………………………………………………..11 ​ ➢ References……………………………………………………………………….12 ​ Background Guide | Page 1 of 11 ​ ​ MMUNS 2018 | UNHRC ​ ​ Greetings delegates, It is a pleasure for us to receive you as the 2018 MMUNS’s new members of the Human ​ Rights Council Committee. From this point on, it’s your duty to deliberate about certain issues ​ concerning human rights worldwide with the help of other delegates in order to come up with virtuous solutions for such problems. We are more than pleased to see you all debate and get to live such an amazing experience here at Mazapan Model United Nations Simulation. I hope ​ ​ you’re all able to put in practice your different skills in order to make this event even more thrilling. Hello, fellow delegates and welcome to MMUNS 2018! My name is Denisse Sandoval, I’m 16 years old, currently a Junior, here at Mazapan School and I’m beyond excited to be taking the role of your chair in this year’s UNHCR Committee. I’ve been involved in MUN for three years now and I can assure it’s definitely an amazing experience. I’d have to say that each conference has successfully allowed me to become better at public speaking and at understanding problems that have an international impact. I encourage you all to participate as much as possible, since it allows debating to become a much more memorable experience. May you all enjoy this conference and make the best of it! Welcome delegates to Mazapan Model United Nations Simulation 2018! It’s a pleasure for me to introduce myself. My name is Abigail Reyes, I’m 16 years old, and I’m a junior at Mazapan School. I’m more than excited to be one of your chairs this year. I have attended four MUNs now and I’m thrilled to get to know each one of you this year. I expect participation from all delegates to propose solutions and discuss the global situation in order to make this conference successful. Prepare delegates, we’re about to make a difference! Denisse Sandoval ➢ [email protected] Abigail Reyes ➢ [email protected] Background Guide | Page 2 of 11 ​ ​ MMUNS 2018 | UNHRC ​ ​ Committee Background The Human Rights Committee is the successor to the United Nations Commission on the Human Rights. This committee works closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the General Assembly. UNHRC addresses every important topic that endangers or violates any human right. Currently the UNHRC holds 47 members that are elected for a term of three years. UNHRC was established on March 2006, after the General Assembly decided to replace the previous Council for Human Rights, which was criticised for allowing countries with poor human rights records to be members. Since then, it has been involved in strengthening its ability to protect and promote human rights and be respond to the needs of victims of rights violations around the globe. Mission Statement “The mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is to work for the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented.” - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Background Guide | Page 3 of 11 ​ ​ MMUNS 2018 | UNHRC ​ ​ Topic B Overview: ➢ Balancing religious liberty and LGBTQ+ rights In this political climate, we observe the different boundaries between religious freedom values and LGBTQ+ rights which have been constantly in conflict. Since same-sex marriage has been declared, there have been many opposing religious groups. Throughout many years there have been a serious discrimination against LGBT people, there is not an adequate legal protection that ensures their safety. Statics state that in 77 countries they have inculcated laws against transgenders for their dressing code and many of this discriminatory laws expose the individual to the risk of being persecuted or imprisonment. In other countries death penalty has been legalize. Since the problem keeps spreading, there have been many concerns for the Human Rights Council. In order to protect the individual, from homophobic and transphobic violence, prevent torture or degrading treatment, repeal laws criminalizing homosexually and transgender people; Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and the right of freedom of speech of the individual. Focus questions ➢ Should religious groups, such as Christians Conservative argue against the “special” rights that are granted to the LGBT community? ➢ What means can be taken in order to reduce counter effects on either side of the issue? Background Guide | Page 4 of 11 ​ ​ MMUNS 2018 | UNHRC ​ ​ Background Information The dilemma between otorgating the protectionist rights to LGBT people is contradicting the moral values of the church and how men and women should be united. Nowadays in various countries same sex marriage have been legalized and the opinion of the public is highly diverse causing controversials between them. Getting into Religious freedoms protections such as housing, Churches and other religiously affiliated organizations that own noncommercial housing units can give preferences to those of their own faith. Religious schools may establish values-based regulations for students housing. For employment Churches and religious schools may make employment decisions based on religious principles. All employees may express their religious convictions about matters of faith, marriage, family and sexuality outside the workplace, non-disruptive ways. All employers are free to establish reasonable employment regulations that are consistent with their values, including those in use of private facilities. In marriage religious officials and religiously affiliated organizations cannot be required to solemnize any marriage that is contrary to their religious beliefs, or provide goods,services, facilities or grounds for activities connected with a marriage that is contrary to their religious beliefs. Non religious schools have boundaries regarding sexuality or gender identity of the individual. Many committees such as UNHRC are responsible for the protections of human rights. Recently many states have determined an efforts to reinforce LGBT rights including laws banning discrimination, penalizing homophobic and transphobic hate crimes, grating recognition of the same sex relationships and making it comfortable for transgenders to obtain their official documents that portrays the gender of their choosing. Also various training programs have been developed for police, prison staff, teachers, and social workers. Since discrimination is one of the main root of the conflicts institutions have implemented anti-bullying in many schools. Since 2003 the General Assembly has called attention to the violations to different sexual oriented people. Several deaths have occured in the LGBT community. By 2011 the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution 17/19 that declared that the first United Nations on sexual Background Guide | Page 5 of 11 ​ ​ MMUNS 2018 | UNHRC ​ ​ orientation and gender identity- expressing the concern at violence and discrimination against the individuals based on their gender identity. One of the main reasons behind this daily conflict is the fact that the constitutions does not includes competing values. The requirements of the free exercise and the establishments of certain clauses, freedom of association and the anti-discrimination on the basis of their “faith”. For example Conservative Christians are increasingly positioning themselves as a threatened minority group in need of special rights. Many of the religious groups views it as if LGBT people are granted special rights, which makes them argue for the difference of treatment. Background Guide | Page 6 of 11 ​ ​ MMUNS 2018 | UNHRC ​ ​ Timeline of Events 1885 Offence of "gross indecency" created, making all sexual acts between men illegal. Previously the only law on gay sex was the prohibition of sodomy (which applied equally to heterosexuals). 1895 Oscar Wilde prosecuted for gross indecency and sentenced to two years in prison. ​ 1957 Wolfenden committee recommends the decriminalisation of gay sex between consenting adults over 21, except in the armed forces. 1967 Gay sex decriminalised, with new privacy clause - no act may take place where a third party is likely to be present. Age of consent set at 21 (compared to 16 for heterosexuals and lesbians). June 1969 Police raid on the gay Stonewall Inn in New York sparks five days of rioting. Widely regarded as the single most important event in history of gay rights. Gay Liberation Front (GLF) formed in New York. July 1972 London GLF (founded 1970) organises first UK Gay Pride march, with 700