A/HRC/29/23 I. Introduction 1. In 2011, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 17/19, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights submitted a report to the Council in which she described a pattern of discrimination and violence directed at people in all regions on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.1 Almost three years on, in its resolution 27/32, the Council requested the High Commissioner to update the above-mentioned report with a view to sharing good practices and ways to overcome violence and discrimination, in application of existing international human rights law and standards. 2. The present report draws on recent findings of United Nations human rights bodies, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations, and information submitted by Governments, including 28 replies to a note verbale addressed to Member States on 29 December 2014.2 II. Recent developments 3. In recent years, Governments in all regions have pursued a variety of initiatives aimed at reducing levels of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. For example, since 2011, 14 States have adopted or strengthened antidiscrimination and hate crime laws, extending protection on grounds of sexual orientation and/or gender identity and, in two cases, also introducing legal protections for intersex persons. Three States have abolished criminal sanctions for homosexuality; 12 have introduced marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples nationally; and 10 have introduced reforms that, to varying degrees, make it easier for transgender persons to obtain legal recognition of their gender identity. 4. In dozens of countries, police, judges, prison guards, medical staff and teachers are receiving gender and sexuality sensitivity training, anti-bullying programmes have been launched in schools, and shelters have been built to house homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Popular television programmes have integrated LGBT characters in a positive way and celebrities have helped to raise awareness by “coming out” as LGBT persons themselves or speaking out in support of members of the LGBT community. In all regions, LGBT and intersex 3 human rights defenders are more vocal and visible – in several cases successfully challenging in the courts attempts by authorities to restrict their legitimate activities. 5. While these advances are welcome, they are overshadowed by continuing, serious and widespread human rights violations perpetrated, too often with impunity, against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Since 2011, hundreds of people have been killed and thousands more injured in brutal, violent attacks – some of which are chronicled below. Other documented violations include torture, arbitrary detention, denial of rights to assembly and expression, and discrimination in health care, 1 2 3 A/HRC/19/41. Replies are available on the website of the Office of the High Commissioner at www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Discrimination/Pages/SOGIHRC29Replies.aspx. While “LGBT” is used in the present report, other terms are used in different regions. References are also included to violations against intersex persons, who may have any sexual orientation or gender identity. United Nations human rights mechanisms have repeatedly addressed such violations together with those directed at LGBT persons. 3