The administration of the United States President, Joe Biden, on Monday, disclosed that it will reengage with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) thereby promoting and protecting the rights of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) across the nations of the world (including Nigeria).
The U.S. Department of States, in a press release seen by our correspondent, noted that although it withdrew from the council in June 2018 ( under the President Donald Trump administration), “ the United States will engage with the Council as an observer” and ensure that the “ Council can help to promote fundamental freedoms around the globe, including freedoms of expression, association and assembly, and religion or belief as well as the fundamental rights of women, girls, LGBTQI+ persons, and other marginalized communities.”
The Trump administration had left the council after accusing it of being bias towards Israel while ignoring the alleged human rights violation perpetuated by China.
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The council’s function is weaved around promoting human rights across the globe.
But the current U.S. Department of States faulted Trump’s move, saying it “did nothing to encourage meaningful change.”
Regarding the LGBTQ people, Biden had on February 4, issued orders directing its agencies abroad ( including Embassies) to lobby against their discrimination.
“It shall be the policy of the United States to pursue an end to violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, and to lead by the power of our example in the cause of advancing the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world,” the White House memorandum stated.
But the policy runs contrary to those of some other countries, including Nigeria.
THE WHISTLER earlier reported that the Nigerian Government in 2014, during the era of President Goodluck Jonathan, had passed a law that criminalized same sex relationships with about 14-year jail term for violators.
That act was condemned by the United Kingdom as well as the U.S government.
Meanwhile, on the part of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, the country will only relate with the U.S. on “issues of common interests, especially in such areas as accelerated economic growth, fight against terrorism and deepening progress on development issues.”