A/HRC/29/23 “rehabilitation clinics” where lesbians and transgender youths have been forcibly detained with the collusion of family members and subjected to torture, including sexual abuse. 89 53. Many intersex children, born with atypical sex characteristics, are subjected to medically unnecessary surgery and treatment in an attempt to force their physical appearance to align with binary sex stereotypes. Such procedures are typically irreversible and can cause severe, long-term physical and psychological suffering. Those to have called for an end to the practice include the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Committee against Torture, the special procedures mandate holders on the right to health and on torture.90 54. Transgender persons often face particular difficulties in their access to appropriate health care. Health-care professionals may be insensitive to their needs, lack relevant knowledge and treat transgender persons in a discriminatory manner. Gender reassignment therapy, where available, is often prohibitively expensive. In certain situations, it is coerced.91 2. Education 55. Many children and adolescents perceived as LGBT or gender non-conforming experience discrimination, harassment and, in some cases, violent abuse both in and outside of school. 92 Such abuse can force students to skip or drop out of school, and can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, even suicide. 56. High levels of bullying have been recorded in all regions. A European Union study found that 80 per cent of school-age children surveyed heard negative comments or saw negative conduct directed at schoolmates perceived as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.93 A survey conducted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) of students in Thailand found that more than half of LGBT respondents had been bullied in the previous month, and more than 30 per cent had experienced physical abuse.94 These findings mirror those of studies conducted in other countries. 57. Limiting or obstructing information related to sexuality or using materials that contain stereotypes and prejudices can contribute to violence and expose young LGBT persons to health risks.95 Comprehensive sexuality education is part of the right to education and can be a tool for combating discrimination. 3. Employment 58. In most States, national laws do not provide adequate protection from employmentrelated discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. 96 In the absence 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 CCPR/C/ECU/CO/5, para. 12. See “IACHR expresses concern about violence and discrimination against LGBTI persons, particularly youth, in the Americas”, press release, 15 August 2013. See CRC/C/CHE/CO/2-4, para. 42, CAT/C/DEU/CO/5, para, 20, A/HRC/22/53, para. 88, A/64/272, para. 49. See A/HRC/25/61, annex II. See E/CN.4/2001/52, para. 75, E/CN.4/2006/45, para. 113, CRC/C/RUS/CO/4-5, para. 59. EU LGBT Survey, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (see footnote 50), p. 12. “Bullying targeting secondary school students who are or are perceived to be transgender or same-sex attracted”, Mahidol University, Plan International Thailand, UNESCO, 2014, p. 14. See CRC/C/RUS/CO/4-5, para. 55, CRC/GC/2003/4, paras. 26, 28; A/65/162, paras. 4, 6, 23, 63, A/68/290, paras. 52, 54. ILGA, State-sponsored Homophobia (see footnote 70), p. 21. 15