Violations of rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly based on sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression: Submission to the UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity

Amnesty International submits this document in response to the call for input for the report of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to the 56th session of the Human Rights Council on ‘Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, in relation to the human rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly’. Everyone must be able to enjoy the rights to freedom of expression , peaceful assembly and association without any discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). However, around the world, states often deny these rights to LGBTI people on spurious grounds and through discriminatory restrictions based on ‘public morals’, ‘protecting minors’ or ‘public order’, that lack legal clarity and are neither necessary nor proportionate.