Botswana dodges UN vote on gay rights probe

After much debate last week, the UNHRC voted to adopt the resolution to create the new post. The expert, to be appointed in September for an initial three-year term, will carry out country visits, take up individual allegations with governments and work to support and protect gay rights defenders. The position will look at issues related to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders, but not intersex.

The resolution was sponsored by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Uruguay. Twenty-three council members voted for the new position while 18 members were against. Six, including Botswana and South Africa, abstained. Botswana, explaining its position before the vote, noted that the country’s Constitution did not condone violence against any person. “It had to be noted, however, that at the international level there was no accepted terminology on gender identity and sexual orientation. In that regard, it was important to respect local cultural, religious and historic circumstances and values,” Botswana said in an official note.