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<\/p>\nU.S. Clarifies \u2018No\u2019 Vote on UN Resolution Condemning Death Penalty for Homosexuality: There Were \u2018Broader Concerns\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n
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After a firestorm of criticism on Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert clarified the United States\u2019 \u201cno\u201d vote<\/a>\u00a0on a resolution passed by the 47-member Human Rights Council condemning the use of the death penalty in discriminatory fashion<\/a>, in cases including homosexuality.\u00a0Twenty-seven nations voted in favor of the resolution; 13 voted against it and 7 abstained<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Human Rights Campaign denounced the U.S. vote.\u00a0Said Ty Cobb, director of HRC Global. \u201cWhile the U.N. Human Rights Council took this crucially important step, the Trump\/Pence administration failed to show leadership on the world stage by not championing this critical measure. This administration\u2019s blatant disregard for human rights and LGBTQ lives around the world is beyond disgraceful.\u201d<\/p>\n Former U.S. UN Ambassador Susan Rice also denounced the vote:<\/p>\n Shame on US! I was proud to lead U.S. efforts at UN to protect LGBTQ people, back in the day when America stood for human rights for all \u2014 Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) October 3, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Said Nauert in a press briefing yesterday, clarifying the vote:<\/p>\n \u201cAs our representative to the Human Rights Council said last Friday, the United States is disappointed to have voted against that resolution. We voted against that resolution because of broader concerns with the resolution\u2019s approach in condemning the death penalty in all circumstances, and it called for the abolition of the death penalty altogether. We had hoped for a balanced and inclusive resolution that would better reflect the positions of states that continue to apply the death penalty lawfully, as the United States does. The United States unequivocally condemns the application of the death penalty for conduct such as homosexuality, blasphemy, adultery, and apostasy. We do not consider such conduct appropriate for criminalization.\u201d<\/p>\n .@statedeptspox<\/a> comments on a vote related to the death penalty at the @UN<\/a> #HumanRights<\/a> Council in Geneva. #UNHRC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nSugkMrBZC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Department of State (@StateDept) October 3, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n HRC responded to the clarification<\/a>: \u201cHRC welcomes this clarification but continues to be concerned about the Trump\/Pence administration\u2019s engagement on the human rights of LGBTQ people abroad. It is disturbing that leadership in this administration did not discuss this position in their\u00a0original explanation for the \u201cno\u201d vote<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n UN Ambassador Nikki Haley also responded, tweeting: \u201cFact: There was NO vote by USUN that supported the death penalty for gay<\/a> people. We have always fought for justice for the LGBT community.\u00a0Fact: The vote that took place in Geneva is the same US vote that took place under the Obama admin. It was not a vote against LGBT Fact: There was NO vote by USUN that supported the death penalty for gay<\/a> people. We have always fought for justice for the LGBT community.<\/p>\n \u2014 Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) October 4, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Fact: The vote that took place in Geneva is the same US vote that took place under the Obama admin. It was not a vote against LGBT #Fact<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) October 4, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The post U.S. Clarifies \u2018No\u2019 Vote on UN Resolution Condemning Death Penalty for Homosexuality: There Were \u2018Broader Concerns\u2019<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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