The ICJ welcomes the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee’s adoption of resolution A/C.3/69/L.47 on Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions on 19 November most recently.
The resolution, which is introduced biennially, urges States to protect the right to life of all people. Importantly, it calls upon States to investigate killings based on discriminatory grounds, including killings that target people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is the only resolution at the General Assembly to make specific reference to sexual orientation and gender identity.
The resolution was introduced by Finland and co-sponsored by 62 additional states. The support came after a concerted effort by civil society to ensure the successful adoption of the resolution, culminating in a joint letter to all States by 30 NGOs, including the ICJ.
An effort led by Egypt to weaken the resolution, by introducing an amendment that would have removed reference to any of the groups particularly at risk of extrajudicial killings, was defeated by a vote of 86 against, 53 in favour and 24 abstaining.
The resolution was adopted 111 to 1, with 63 abstentions. Kiribati after the vote declared their intention to change their ‘no’ vote to abstention.