The United Nations has passed a resolution that denounces the use of the death penalty as a “sanction for specific forms of conduct, such as apostasy, blasphemy, adultery and consensual same-sex relations”.
The resolution was introduced by Belgium, Benin, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia and Switzerland and passed 27 votes to 13.
However, the United States is facing criticism for voting against the resolution, joining countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, India, Iraq, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The director of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)—Renato Sabbadini—said the vote was of great significance, drawing attention to people who are currently living under discriminatory anti-LGBT laws.
“This is a monumental moment where the international community has publicly highlighted that these horrific laws simply must end,” he said.
“It is unconscionable to think that there are hundreds of millions of people living in states where somebody may be executed simply because of whom they love.”
So far, the United States has not made any comment on why it joined the minority who opposed the resolution.
