UN upholds 1st sex bias resolution

The United Nations issued its first condemnation of discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgender people yesterday in a cautiously worded declaration.

Members of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva narrowly voted for the resolution put forward by South Africa, in the face of strong opposition from other African and Islamic countries.

Couched in delicate diplomatic language, the resolution commissions a study of discrimination against gays and lesbians, the findings of which will be discussed by the Geneva-based council at a later meeting.

The proposal went too far for many of the council's 47-member states, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Speaking for the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Pakistan's UN ambassador said the resolution had "nothing to do with fundamental human rights." "We are seriously concerned at the attempt to introduce to the UN some notions that have no legal foundation," Zamir Akram said.

Nigeria claimed the proposal went against the wishes of most Africans.

And a Mauritania diplomat said it was "an attempt to replace the natural rights of a human being with an unnatural right."

The resolution was passed with 23 votes in favour and 19 against, with three abstentions, including that of China.